Dricus Du Plessis is a freak of nature. The middleweight champion endures the affliction it takes to be at the top under the watchful eye of his formidable coach, Morne Visser. Known for his brutal training techniques, Visser takes intensity to another level, reportedly even using a taser when his fighter fails to correct mistakes.

While this might seem extreme to some, for UFC CEO Dana White, it’s exactly the kind of dedication that makes a champion. Du Plessis’ journey to the top hasn’t been an easy one. From his parents giving him a stern warning to improve his game after his bout with Derek Brunson (or else say goodbye to his title aspirations) to his coach pushing him to his absolute limits, ‘Stillknocks’ has endured grueling training camps to get where he is today. Even his decision to undergo surgery for a deviated septum before his UFC 290 showdown with Robert Whittaker was a calculated move to improve his performance.

However, White recently spoke with Mark Bouris and complimented the South African for arriving more than two weeks earlier to acclimate himself to Sydney’s environment. The head honcho said, “I ran into Du Plessis in the elevator at the hotel and his coach and they were telling me…I mean, these guys do everything right.”

Then in a surprising revelation, White revealed the lack of this disciplined approach in former UFC superstar Ronda Rousey and her eventual downfall. Reflecting on Rousey’s shocking 135lbs title loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193, White further highlighted the costly mistakes that led to her defeat—mistakes Du Plessis wisely avoided.

“All these different things play a factor in the fight. And I think the Du Plessis camp did a great job of getting here early,” White said. “Ronda Rousey, when she flew over here to Australia and lost to Holly Holm, she came straight from filming a movie. Got here three days before the fight, had a hard time making weight because of it, and the time difference — and you saw how that fight ended for Ronda. Du Plessis, him and his team, his coaches, are brilliant. They have a great game plan coming into this fight.”

The UFC’s global reach means fighters must carefully acclimate to the regions where they compete, as these factors can significantly impact performance. One of the most striking examples of this challenge occurred just five events before Rousey’s infamous loss at UFC 193—when Cain Velasquez suffered a shocking defeat at UFC 188.

The event, held in Mexico City, was meant to showcase Velasquez, the UFC’s heavyweight champion, in front of a passionate Mexican audience. However, Fabricio Werdum had other plans. With an incredible performance, the Brazilian derailed the UFC’s promotional vision, submitting Velasquez with a third-round guillotine choke and leaving fans stunned. Although the Brazilian was widely respected as a top-tier competitor, many expected Velasquez’s wrestling and famous ‘gas tank’ to carry him through a dominant title reign.

For the unversed, Velasquez’s legendary stamina had earned him the nickname ‘Cardio Cain’, a reputation cemented during his UFC 155 rematch against Junior Dos Santos. In that fight, Velasquez put on a masterclass, delivering one of the most lopsided beatdowns in UFC history. Even in the final round, he had the gas tank to relentlessly push the pace, dragging Dos Santos around the Octagon with seemingly endless takedown attempts. But at UFC 188, things went wrong as Velasquez made the same mistake as Ronda by not arriving at the fight’s location earlier.

Now coming back to 2025 and UFC 312, the South African champion is set for his second fight on Australian soil. His first outing in the country was nothing short of spectacular, as he submitted Israel Adesanya in the fourth round of their war at UFC 305 in Perth. Meanwhile, Sean Strickland is on a mission to reclaim the middleweight title, and he’ll once again have 205lbs god-king Alex Pereira in his corner. The former champion expressed his appreciation for Pereira’s continued support, saying, “He said he’s down. He’s a good dude, man.” 

However, while all eyes are on the rematch, fans can’t help but entertain another exciting possibility—Khamzat Chimaev vs. Dricus Du Plessis. With Borz lurking in the shadows and eager for a title shot, a clash between him and Stillknocks would be an electrifying showdown. Whether it happens next or further down the line, the thought of these colliding inside the Octagon is enough to send fight fans into a frenzy.

Who takes the cake in a potential Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev bout?

It’s easy to see why fans are eager for a showdown between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev. ‘Borz’ has taken the MMA world by storm, bulldozing his way through the competition with dominant performances, while the South African has proven to be an unpredictable force with relentless pressure and a wild and unorthodox style.

Former UFC fighter Brendan Schaub shares this sentiment—but he’s not just excited about the potential matchup; he’s convinced DDP would come out on top. In fact, he sees Du Plessis as Chimaev’s worst nightmare inside the Octagon. On his podcast, Schaub boldly stated, “I think DDP mollyw–ps Khamzat. I think he is a nightmare for Khamzat.”

However, underestimating Chimaev would be a mistake. The Chechen powerhouse made a massive statement by dismantling Robert Whittaker in the very first round, proving once again why he’s one of the most feared fighters in the division. But Schaub remains unfazed, citing Du Plessis’ underrated ground game as a key factor in a potential victory.

Even Du Plessis himself has weighed in on the matchup. Speaking to Daniel Cormier, the reigning champion offered his honest take on Chimaev’s situation, saying, “I looked at it and I went, ‘Huh.’ I know they’ve wanted Khamzat to be the guy for so long, but he just hasn’t been able to. Khamzat is such an incredible fighter, he just hasn’t been able to—well, get to fights first, and you know, whatever the case may be. However long he has been the guy, he’s just not been able to make that leap.”

Will ‘Borz’ finally get his shot at middleweight gold, or will Du Plessis shut the door on his title aspirations? Either way, fans are in for a treat if these two ever step inside the Octagon together. Moreover, what do you think about Dana White’s revelation? Tell us in the comment section below!