Khamzat Chimaev Next Fight: The Undefeated Contender Eyes Dricus Du Plessis for the Middleweight Title

The MMA world is abuzz with anticipation as Khamzat Chimaev, the undefeated sensation, prepares to face Dricus Du Plessis for the UFC Middleweight Championship. This highly anticipated matchup is expected to be one of the biggest fights of the year, though an official date has yet to be announced. Chimaev, known for his dominant grappling skills, has been making waves in the middleweight division since his move from welterweight, securing impressive victories over top contenders like Kamaru Usman and Robert Whittaker.

Good morning @dricusduplessis pic.twitter.com/hBplc543Ps

— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) February 17, 2025

Yoel Romero’s Prediction

Former UFC title challenger Yoel Romero, an Olympic silver medalist in freestyle wrestling, has weighed in on the potential matchup, giving Chimaev a slight edge. In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Romero praised Chimaev’s wrestling as “Olympic level,” stating, “It’s very difficult, but 60% for Chimaev and 40% for Du Plessis. The wrestling for Chimaev right now is very, very dangerous. I see the movements he makes; it’s another level, it’s Olympic level”.

❗️ Yoel Romero picks Khamzat Chimaev to beat DDP and says his wrestling is “olympic level”

“60% Chimaev and 40% for Du Plessis”

“The wrestling for Chimaev right now is VERY dangerous. I see the movement he makes. It’s another level, it’s OLYMPIC level.”

via @SubmissionRadio pic.twitter.com/eBDa4tqj6q

— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) March 19, 2025

Romero’s assessment highlights the significant challenge Du Plessis will face in defending his title. Chimaev’s grappling prowess has been a key factor in his success, allowing him to control fights and finish opponents with ease. However, Du Plessis is no pushover; his unorthodox striking and solid grappling skills have helped him navigate the middleweight division with impressive victories over former champions like Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland.

The Middleweight Landscape and Potential Outcomes

The middleweight division is on the cusp of a major shake-up with this fight. Du Plessis, having recently defended his title against Strickland at UFC 312, was initially thinking to face Alex Pereira in a megafight before Pereira’s loss to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313. With Pereira out of the picture, Chimaev’s dominant performance against Whittaker at UFC 308 solidified his position as the next title challenger.

The stakes are high for both fighters. A victory for Chimaev would not only earn him his first UFC title but also cement his status as one of the most formidable grapplers in the sport. For Du Plessis, a win would further establish him as a dominant force in the middleweight division, potentially setting up future matchups against other top contenders.

Speculation about the fight’s timing suggests it could headline the UFC’s International Fight Week in June, sharing the card with other major bouts like Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria for the lightweight title. The event promises to be one of the biggest of the year, with fans eagerly awaiting the official announcement.

In addition to Romero’s prediction, other fighters have shared their thoughts on the matchup. Belal Muhammad, the current welterweight champion, has expressed interest in moving up to middleweight and potentially facing the winner of this fight. Muhammad believes Chimaev would be the likely victor, stating that Du Plessis wouldn’t be able to overcome Chimaev’s grappling.

However, not everyone is convinced that Chimaev is ready for a title fight. Henry Cejudo, a former UFC champion, has suggested that Chimaev should take another fight before competing for the title, citing concerns about his endurance in five-round bouts. Despite these reservations, Chimaev’s confidence and recent performances suggest he is more than prepared for the challenge.

The upcoming fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Dricus Du Plessis is poised to be a defining moment in the middleweight division. With Chimaev’s wrestling prowess and Du Plessis’s unorthodox striking, this matchup promises to deliver an exciting and closely contested battle. As the MMA community awaits the official announcement, one thing is certain: this fight will be a must-watch event for fans around the world.