Dricus du Plessis might have emerged as the favorite fighter of many because of his brute force and ability to turn the tide at any moment. After the South African shut down his injury rumors, UFC head honcho Dana White has finally announced his next and most anticipated outing against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 in Chicago. But before the super-fight draws closer, the middleweight king has shared his admiration for the man who almost gave Chimaev a run for his money! 

‘Borz’ has carried an aura of invincibility throughout his career, dominating every opponent and mauling them to the point where escape seemed impossible. But at UFC 273, Gilbert Burns became the first fighter to make him look human. ‘Durinho’ suffered a huge knockdown at the end of the first round with a jab. However, he bounced back strong in the second, landing a barrage of uppercuts to steal the round. The third was an all-out war, and although Burns ultimately lost via decision.

After being at the top for a long time, Burns is currently on a bit of a back foot in his career, having lost three fights in a row against some of the toughest competition in the division. Still, he’s not backing down from facing rising contenders. This weekend, he’s set to take on undefeated Ecuadorian prospect Michael Morales at the UFC Apex. Many have questioned ‘Durinho’s decision to risk his #8 ranking, so he sat down with veteran journalist Kevin Iole to explain why he took the fight.

Burns told Kevin Iole on his YouTube interview, “I don’t see that way! I see that like I’m coming from two losses. I need to win and I also need to give a test to these upcoming guys! These guys need a test. I’m not the one who’s going to hold down that position and make this my ego, ‘I’m number 08, and I’m fighting, I’m just fighting up [down]’. No! I need to get a win, and I want to get a win.”

The interview caught the attention of the current 185-pound king, who shared it on his Instagram story with the caption: “This is why Gilbert Burns is one of my favorite fighters of all time.” That’s high praise coming from the South African champion, especially for a veteran like Burns. While there’s no doubt Du Plessis genuinely admires the Brazilian, some fans believe it might also be a subtle jab at his upcoming opponent, Khamzat Chimaev, indicating that he almost got caught at UFC 273. 

Given Du Plessis’s reputation for psychological warfare, it wouldn’t be surprising. However, the end of this heated rivalry will be decided at the United Center in Chicago on August 17th. We’re still a few months out, and already the predictions are flying. Adding to the buzz, the champ’s former opponent has now shared his thoughts on who might come out on top in this highly anticipated super-fight.

Darren Till believes Khamzat Chimaev is going to defeat Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319

Darren Till might be a common link between the two headliners of UFC 319. He has been against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 282, which the current champ won via 3rd round submission. Also, the Brit cornered Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 273, and maintained a strong friendship since then. So, ‘The Gorilla’ definitely knows details about two of the fiercest fighters in the promotion. 

Till in the Ariel Helwani Show, said, “With respect, I’m never gonna look past Dricus because he’s super dedicated. He’s super strong. He’s got that awkward style that doesn’t make any sense. I think Khamzat will beat him inside two rounds. I really do believe that. I was speaking to Khamzat on FaceTime the other day because I was meant to be going off to Dubai to help with the camp—Khamzat knows it’s a tough fight. But, Khamzat trains like a beast.”

That’s definitely true! Khamzat looked like he never missed a beat when he returned to the Octagon and crushed Robert Whittaker’s jaw, despite being out for a year dealing with multiple injuries and illness. ‘Borz’ remains as dangerous as ever. But what makes this matchup so intriguing is Du Plessis’s unique strategies, which consistently make him a tough puzzle for his opponents. The big question now is: how will ‘Borz’ adjust to that challenge?

With that being said, as we inch closer to this ultimate showdown, the big question is: can Dricus du Plessis get inside Khamzat Chimaev’s head the same way he has with past opponents and make things even more difficult? Or will ‘Borz’ simply brush it off and take it all on the chin, unfazed? Drop your thoughts in the comments below