Dricus du Plessis wants to be the GOAT ahead of Khamzat Chimaev clash
Dricus du Plessis aims to prove his status as the Greatest Of All Time in the UFC Middleweight division as he faces Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319, highlighting his unorthodox style and determination to defeat top opponents. Picture: Phill Magakoe / AFP
Image: Phill Magakoe / AFP
Ahead of his UFC Middleweight title fight against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 on Saturday, Dricus du Plessis wants to be regarded as the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT).
That’s no small claim, but it’s in line with the high-level trash talk the South African engages in ahead of all his fights.
The fact is, this will be the third title defence fight for Du Plessis when he steps into the Octagon in Chicago, USA, on Saturday.
While Du Plessis realistically can’t be regarded as the greatest middleweight fighter just yet, he acknowledges he needs to bag a few more high-profile victories.
Du Plessis on Defeating the Best: “It’s About Who You Beat While You Were There”
“To be the greatest, it’s not how many guys you beat or how long you were at the top; it’s about who you beat while you were there,” said Du Plessis.
“I don’t want to be the guy who held the belt and [beat] selected opponents. I want to fight the best of the best and that’s what I’ve been doing.
“Every time you step in there, you’re going to face the next most dangerous guy… once again, I’ll show my improvements and why I am the champion.”
Du Plessis: Unorthodox Style and Defiant Spirit in the MMA World
At the moment, MMA experts regard Du Plessis as the fourth best of all time behind Anderson Silva, Israel Adesanya [who Du Plessis beat in his first title defence] and Chris Weidman.
His fighting style is also unorthodox, and it is something Du Plessis is not concerned about.
“It’s impossible to prepare for me… I have this unique style… where do you find somebody to mimic it?
“I’m not the best wrestler, the best grappler, or the best striker, but when you put all of those things together… I’m the best in the world.”
With Chimaev considered the firm favourite for the fight, Du Plessis remained defiant.
“For me, pressure is such a big part of the game… Going back home without it [my belt] is not an option for me.
“Odds don’t make fights, fighters do… Saying that I became everything people thought Khamzat would be, I agree with that. That’s because I’m built differently. I’ll show that again on the 16th.”