Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev is pretty much as good because it will get.
There are not any good title challengers in MMA, however Chimaev comes shut. Unbeaten and chargeable for a few of the most vicious in-cage maulings we’ve seen prior to now 5 years, the enigmatic Chimaev appeared destined for a title shot when he burst onto the scene at UFC Combat Island. We’ve taken the good distance round and now we’re right here, with Chimaev on the cusp of changing into middleweight champion if he can beat du Plessis within the UFC 319 foremost occasion.
Even with Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev on the horizon, a superfight between Valentina Shevchenko and Zhang Weili perpetually within the works, the return of Tom Aspinall, and champions Ilia Topuria, Alexandre Pantoja, and Kayla Harrison doubtlessly preventing earlier than the top of the 12 months, it’s tough to image a matchup as viscerally pleasing on paper as du Plessis vs. Chimaev. These two are, by the strictest definition of the phrase, forces of nature, and tonight we’ve the privilege of watching them batter one another for upwards of 25 minutes.
Let’s be actual, it in all probability gained’t final that lengthy, with du Plessis and Chimaev unlikely to go away something within the tank for the journey again. It’s all or nothing on this championship combat and for us followers, we shouldn’t need it every other manner.
The place: United Middle in Chicago
When: Saturday, Aug. 16. The three-fight early preliminary card begins at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and Disney+, adopted by a four-fight preliminary card airing on ESPN, ESPN+ and Disney+ at 8 p.m. ET. The five-fight foremost card begins at 10 p.m. ET solely on ESPN+ pay-per-view.
(Numbers in parentheses point out standing within the MMA Combating International Rankings and Pound-for-Pound Rankings)
Dricus du Plessis (1, P4P-5) vs. Khamzat Chimaev (2, P4P-13)
Let’s not overthink this as a result of you understand the fighters aren’t.
Within the final middleweight meathead battle, the narratives we’ve repeated advert nauseam since Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev was first introduced have been prevalent for a cause. Du Plessis is an unorthodox fighter with a present for outlasting and overwhelming his opposition. Chimaev is an absolute berserker that has to show he might be simply as efficient within the championship rounds as he’s within the first 5 minutes. It’s simplistic as a result of it’s true.
Nobody is saying du Plessis can’t end early, although Chimaev has confirmed to be powerful as nails even when he can’t flip a combat into one-way site visitors. And whereas Chimaev has by no means gone previous the 15-minute mark, it’s not like he simply changed into a sluggish zombie within the ultimate rounds of his fights with Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns. Each guys are saying all the suitable issues about defying expectations.
However my imaginative and prescient is obvious. I’ve mentioned for years that when Chimaev is on, there isn’t a soul on the planet that may beat him in a combat, and I see no cause to deviate from that perception. Typical knowledge says Chimaev wins within the first or second spherical and I’m going with that boring prediction—if you happen to can name working by way of the most effective pound-for-pound fighters on the planet “boring,” that’s.
Aaron Pico (10) vs. Lerone Murphy (9)
That is going to sound extremely foolish contemplating Lerone Murphy simply went 5 rounds with Josh Emmett and he beforehand whupped Edson Barboza, however I like Aaron Pico to win as a result of he’s the toughest hitter Murphy has ever confronted.
Pico seamlessly blends energy, pace, and method and at 28 he’s proper in the course of his athletic prime. “Explosive” doesn’t do the onetime wunderkind justice. He owns a left hand of doom and relishes using punishing physique work to interrupt down his opponents’ defenses. His standup offense is impeccable and if he chooses to combine in some wrestling, even higher.
There may be the query of high quality of competitors although. What’s Pico’s greatest win? Leandro Higo? Pedro Carvalho? Henry Corrales??? Irrespective of who you choose, Murphy is a big step up. Primarily the Leon Edwards of the featherweight division, Murphy gained’t wow you along with his one-punch KO energy, nor will he bounce into exchanges except he is aware of they’re in his favor. What he does is win, whether or not it’s with precision mixtures, hermetic protection, and even well-timed takedowns. You may guess he gained’t be afraid to check Pico’s wrestling protection.
All good issues should come to an finish and it feels just like the UFC retains reserving Murphy towards sluggers within the hopes considered one of them will push the pesky contender just a few steps again within the line. If Pico can change into the primary fighter to defeat Murphy, and accomplish that by end, he gained’t simply break the Bellator curse, he may change into the No. 1 contender at 145 kilos in a single day.
Geoff Neal (11) vs. Carlos Prates
Carlos Prates is so harmful, man.
Even with time ticking away in his latest loss to Ian Machado Garry, the Brazilian’s dynamite putting was an ever-present risk, and if he’d solely discovered a gap to unleash earlier he may nonetheless be using a win streak. Because it stands, there are clear holes in Prates’ sport. However holes that Geoff Neal can exploit? I’m skeptical.
Neal is snug enjoying the spoiler, particularly towards strikers which are extra hyped than he’s. Vicente Luque and Mike Perry are two examples, each of whom fell to Neal’s fists and toes. He may be enjoying with fireplace if he chooses to face and strike with Prates, however he’s able to placing on a scorching efficiency himself if he can get his rhythm and distance proper.
I feel Prates discovered quite a bit going 5 rounds with Garry, particularly about pacing and managing his output. He’ll strain Neal extra because the combat progresses, leaving him few choices apart from to throw down along with his again to the fence. And that’s when Prates will add Neal to his spotlight reel.
Jared Cannonier (11) vs. Michael Web page
I nonetheless don’t know why this combat is occurring and I don’t count on to be any much less confused when it’s over.
Provided that Jared Cannonier is at the moment caught in middleweight limbo, I suppose this matchup makes a sick kind of sense as there can’t be a lot motivating Cannonier at this level apart from amassing a pleasant paycheck and persevering with do what he loves. That’s true of Michael Web page as nicely and the previous Bellator star has basically admitted he’s solely reserving fights at 185 kilos as a result of they’re obtainable. Two dudes simply staying busy. Not precisely the stuff of legends and that’s OK.
What’s not OK here’s a types conflict that would have the all the time vocal Chicago crowd expressing their displeasure in no unsure phrases. Cannonier isn’t going to chase Web page, and Web page goes to do every thing he can to remain on the fringe of Cannonier’s heavier punches. Alternatives for significant exchanges will likely be few and much between. Factors will add up, one probing strike at a time. You’re dozing off simply studying this, I do know.
In a touch-and-go combat, I’m favoring “MVP” each time. It might be enjoyable to see him get again to his viral knockout methods, however competing in a heavier division than he’s used to, he’ll fortunately accept the choice win.
Tim Elliott vs. Kai Asakura
Velocity, youth, and punching energy are all on Kai Asakura’s aspect in the primary card opener.
Whereas I’d a lot choose Asakura to make a everlasting transfer to 135 kilos, he’s apparently sticking round at flyweight and he booked himself the suitable opponent in Tim Elliott. The difficult grappler is extra well-known than Asakura stateside (at the moment No. 11 within the UFC’s 125-pound rankings) and his floor sport ought to give us a gauge of the place Asakura stands within the division after being dealt with by champion Alexandre Pantoja. Asakura may end up to not be a prime 5 fighter, however absolutely he’s higher than what he confirmed in his UFC debut.
Elliott will attempt to drag Asakura to the mat as quickly as attainable, so Asakura’s takedown protection and cardio will likely be put to the check. If Asakura retains this combat standing, he wins; if he doesn’t, Elliott both wears Asakura out for 3 rounds or provides to his submission woes. There’s no in between.
I’ll lean in the direction of the significantly youthful fighter right here and choose Asakura to get again on the knockout observe.
Baysangur Susurkaev def. Eric Nolan
Gerald Meerschaert def. Michal Oleksiejczuk
Crazy Godinez (11) def. Jessica Andrade (5)
Chase Hooper def. Alexander Hernandez
Drakkar Klose def. Edson Barboza
Karine Silva def. Dione Barbosa
Joseph Morales def. Idiris Alibi
