Khamzat Chimaev Has a Ruthless Plan: Force Du Plessis to Struggle to Breathe in Round 1?

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In the high-stakes main event of UFC 319, Khamzat Chimaev is not just planning to win—he’s aiming to break Dricus Du Plessis mentally and physically in the very first round.

Known for his relentless aggression and suffocating grappling, Chimaev has openly declared a chilling strategy: make the South African champion struggle to breathe within the first five minutes. It’s more than a tactic—it’s a statement. He doesn’t just want to win the belt. He wants to dismantle the man who holds it.

With tension rising ahead of one of the biggest middleweight title fights in years, fans and analysts are now asking: Can Du Plessis survive the storm, or will Chimaev’s ruthless plan succeed in record time?

The Title Fight Fans Have Been Waiting For

At UFC 319, the undefeated and ferocious Khamzat Chimaev finally gets his shot at middleweight gold. Standing in his way is Dricus Du Plessis, the South African powerhouse who shocked the world by defeating Sean Strickland to capture the title.

On paper, it’s a battle between a tactical berserker and a gritty, unorthodox brawler. But in reality, it’s a psychological war—and Chimaev has already fired the first shot.

“I will drown him in the first round. He won’t even be able to breathe,” Chimaev said in a recent media appearance.

That message isn’t just bravado. It’s a tactical blueprint rooted in his history of fast starts and total domination.

Why Chimaev’s Plan Could Work

From his UFC debut, Chimaev has showcased a unique ability to overwhelm opponents immediately. Fighters like Li Jingliang, Kevin Holland, and Rhys McKee were unable to handle the storm. Chimaev doesn’t ease into fights. He sprints into chaos, dragging his opponents into the deep end from the opening bell.

His goal isn’t to simply score a takedown or land a big shot. It’s to create panic.

Against Du Plessis, that approach could be devastating. The South African champ is known for his awkward striking, powerful frame, and incredible heart—but he’s also been criticized for sloppy technique and poor breathing under pressure.

“If you watch his fights, after the first round, he’s already breathing with his mouth open,” Chimaev said. “Now imagine him with me on top of him. He’ll beg for air.”

Chimaev’s plan: push the pace so hard that Du Plessis can’t recover by round two. If he succeeds, it could be one of the most lopsided title wins in UFC middleweight history.

Du Plessis Isn’t Afraid—but Is He Ready?

To his credit, Dricus Du Plessis isn’t backing down. Known for his mental toughness and underdog mentality, the South African champion has faced doubts his entire career—and silenced them one by one.

From brutal finishes to his shocking win over Robert Whittaker, and a controversial split-decision victory against Sean Strickland, Du Plessis has proven he can perform under pressure. He’s awkward, he’s wild, and most importantly—he’s unpredictable.

But that same unpredictability might not work against someone like Chimaev, who thrives in the chaos and doesn’t allow opponents time to adjust.

The question is: Can Du Plessis weather the storm long enough to drag Chimaev into deep water himself? He’s known for late-fight surges, but only if he survives the early storm.

The Weight Factor: Chimaev’s Physical Transformation

One of the biggest X-factors heading into UFC 319 is how Khamzat Chimaev performs at 185 pounds over five rounds. Known for struggling to make welterweight in the past, middleweight seems like a more natural fit for the Chechen-born fighter.

He looks stronger, more composed, and—according to teammates—more dangerous than ever.

“This is the best version of Khamzat yet,” said UFC lightweight Guram Kutateladze, a training partner of Chimaev. “He’s fast, explosive, and he doesn’t get tired. He’s going to smash Du Plessis.”

The added size and cardio efficiency could be exactly what Chimaev needs to execute his ruthless round-one plan. If he maintains his speed and aggression, Du Plessis may have no answer.

Fighter IQ: More Than Just a Bruiser

While many fans see Chimaev as a savage wrestler and wild brawler, insiders know his game is far more nuanced. He’s calculated, methodical, and aware of how each opponent reacts under pressure.

He’s also evolving with every fight.

“He doesn’t fight the same way twice,” said analyst Daniel Cormier. “He adapts, learns, and improves.”

Against Gilbert Burns, Chimaev showed vulnerabilities—but also resilience. Against Kevin Holland, he displayed elite-level grappling. And now, with a title on the line, he’s expected to bring a perfect blend of violence and strategy.

If Du Plessis comes in sloppy or overly aggressive, Chimaev is ready to capitalize immediately.

The Mental Game: A War of Words and Pressure

In the buildup to UFC 319, Chimaev has made it clear—he’s not interested in respect. He wants control. He wants fear.

He’s taunted Du Plessis, dismissed his skills, and declared himself the “real king of the middleweights.” While Du Plessis has responded with his usual grit, the psychological warfare has already started.

“I don’t care who he is. He will feel pain,” Chimaev warned. “I will take everything from him in round one.”

For Du Plessis, the key will be keeping composure. If he gets caught up in Chimaev’s energy, he could be broken before the bell even rings.

Legacy on the Line for Both Fighters

This isn’t just a title fight. It’s a career-defining moment for both men.

For Chimaev, this is the chance to cement his status as one of the most dominant forces in UFC history. An emphatic win over Du Plessis would make him an instant candidate for double-champ status and super fights against names like Israel Adesanya or even Alex Pereira at light heavyweight.

For Du Plessis, this is about proving the doubters wrong—again. Many claimed he didn’t deserve the title. Some called his win over Strickland lucky. Beating Chimaev would shut all of them up—and place him among the greatest middleweights of this generation.

The stakes couldn’t be higher.

Prediction: Can Du Plessis Survive Round One?

If Chimaev executes his plan—press early, suffocate the space, drag him down—Du Plessis may not make it out of round one.

The South African will need to use his strength, his awkward timing, and his unorthodox angles to avoid being taken down and controlled. But even then, he has to avoid panic—the exact emotion Chimaev feeds on.

“The first round is everything,” said coach Javier Mendez. “If Du Plessis gets past that, the fight changes. But that’s a huge ‘if’.”

Chimaev has shown that he can hurt people in minutes. If he gets top control early, or lands a clean shot in transition, the fight could be over before fans blink.

Final Thoughts: A Ruthless Gameplan or a Gamble?

Khamzat Chimaev is walking into UFC 319 not with caution, but with a mission. A ruthless, surgical plan to suffocate and finish Dricus Du Plessis before the champion even has a chance to fight back.

It’s bold. It’s brutal. And it’s entirely possible.

But if Chimaev fails to finish early, he may find himself in unknown territory—exhausted, frustrated, and facing a champion who never quits.

One thing is certain: round one will be must-watch madness.

Will Du Plessis crumble under the pressure, or will he rise like he always does—bloodied but victorious?

Either way, UFC 319 will shake the middleweight division to its core.