“Khamzat is next,” said reigning middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312 last month, after submitting former champion Sean Strickland in their rematch at the Qudos Bank Arena. In the meantime, ‘Stillknocks’ has risen to become one of the biggest threats in the middleweight division, collecting the scalps of notable names such as former champions Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker. In less than five years in the UFC, the Afrikaner has derailed and destroyed anyone who stood in his path. Talk about being a glorious goofy Superman!

Back in 2021, the South African fought on the undercard of UFC 264, known for the Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier trilogy. Now, he stands as one of the UFC’s most fearsome fighters in the middleweight division. However, before cementing his legacy, ‘Stillknocks’ is just one fight away from facing his toughest challenge yet—undefeated, #3-ranked contender Khamzat Chimaev. ‘Borz’ who was outside the top 10 just five months ago, has surged to the #3 spot in the rankings after his blistering performance with a face-crank submission against Robert Whittaker at UFC 308.

With his rapid rise, Chimaev has positioned himself as a potential title contender against the reigning champion. ‘Borz’ has earned respect for his aggressive fighting style, though his “gas tank” and ongoing immunity and health concerns have been points of criticism. Despite becoming a fan favorite, UFC’s rising middleweight contender Anthony Hernandez has openly stated that, if placing a bet, the Afrikaner would be his pick for the win.

While speaking on Tim Welch’s YouTube channel, Hernandez revealed his thoughts when the host pressed, “If someone gave you 10K to bet on it, who would you throw it on?” Hernandez responded, “Dude, DDP [Dricus Du Plessis] is hella tough. I would give it to him. He’s a tank, bro. He’s got a good gas tank. Khamzat looks like he gases, and you know what I mean? I don’t think he would just get DDP out of there quick in the first round.” Welch, Sean O’Malley’s coach, also backed Hernandez’s point, adding, “Yeah, big neck too. I think he’ll be able to weather the storm.”

As Chimaev is next in line for a title shot, the timing of the fight remains uncertain, with rumors suggesting it could take place at UFC 318. However, no official details are available at this time. Stay tuned for updates. In the meantime, Belal Muhammad has shared his prediction on the potential showdown between Dricus Du Plessis and ‘Borz’.

Belal Muhammad weighs in on the potential matchup between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev

A few months ago, the idea of Khamzat Chimaev facing Dricus Du Plessis for the middleweight title seemed distant, but it’s now one of the most anticipated matchups in the division. 170lbs kingpin Belal Muhammad is keeping a close eye on it for good reason. After all, the Palestinian-American plans to move up to 185lbs to contend for a second title. With Islam Makhachev set to make the jump to welterweight to avoid a potential clash with his close friend, Muhammad decided to pursue the middleweight division instead of facing the Dagestani.

It is safe to say that to attain his goal, Du Plessis and Chimaev come up naturally as the top targets. Speaking to MMA Junkie this weekend, Belal Muhammad shared his thoughts: “We’ll see if [Du Plessis] still has the belt at that time; he’s got a tough test ahead with Khamzat. I don’t think he’s going to get past Khamzat, but maybe I’ll still go up there anyway to smack him around. I love that energy when people say ‘Oh he’s too small’ because I get that even at 170lbs. I’m not the biggest, strongest, or fastest. What I am is the best, and if I go up to middleweight, I’ll be the best as well.”

What are your thoughts on the rumored UFC matchup between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev? Do you believe ‘Stillknocks’ has what it takes to withstand ‘Borz’s full-on assault? Share your opinion below!