Michael Bisping warns Dricus Du Plessis not to back up against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319.
Du Plessis (23-2 MMA, 9-0 UFC) defends his middleweight title against Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) in the Aug. 16 main event at United Center in Chicago (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+).
Bisping acknowledges the work Chimaev has put in for his cardio, but doubts Du Plessis feels threatened.
“Dricus Du Plessis, I mean, you cannot doubt this guy,” Bisping said on ESPN’s UFC on ABC 9 post show. “He said he wants to fight Khamzat on the ground. He said everyone else tries to avoid the ground with him, he said, ‘I want to fight the best version of him. I want to test my skills against his on the ground.’ He’s not intimidated.
“There are videos of Dricus Du Plessis online taking on an entire Gracie Barra blackbelt team and submitting them all one by one. He’s big, he’s strong, he can wrestle, he’s got great judo, he’s got knockout power. He’s had a nose job so. He’s got a great gas tank now as well. They hate each other. They absolutely hate each other.”
That being said, Bisping is confident that Chimaev will succeed in taking Du Plessis down. He advises the champion not to shy away from the early onslaught that the undefeated contender brings.
“(Chimaev) is going to get you down,” Bisping said. “Look at what he did to (Robert) Whittaker. Look at what he did to (Kamaru) Usman. Usman, with that fight you might go, ‘Oh yeah, Usman’s had his best days behind him.’ Then, look what he did to Joaquin Buckley.
“He’s still got it. That’s how good Khamzat Chimaev is at wrestling. So if you try and just do everything you can to avoid him and get away and run, you’re just running away the entire time. He’s going to get you. Nah, screw that. Meet him head on. Fight him at his own game.”
