With UFC 312 rapidly approaching, Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland will square off for the title once again, with the latter hoping that the bout doesn’t go on like their last fight where Du Plessis won via split decision. But if the upcoming bout between them doesn’t attract you enough, there’s an understory. Lurking in the background, one name continues to keep buzzing in the division. Yes, it is Khamzat Chimaev!

And Israel Adesanya seems to have certain thoughts on the UFC 312 middleweight title fight that could eventually affect Chimaev. Let’s just say that Adesanya’s predictions could very well shift the course of the title race. What did he say?

‘The Last Stylebender’ didn’t hold back when discussing UFC 312 in an interview with ‘MMA Junkie’. “I think Dricus wins this one. If it’s close, maybe, or maybe it’s more decisive this time. It’s going to be a tough fight for both men, but I’ll give the edge to Dricus,” he said. And his prediction, if true, will have a lot of implications for Chimaev. After all, UFC boss Dana White has already hinted after UFC 311 that the middleweight fighter would likely get the next shot at the middleweight belt.

“Yeah, I think he probably gets the next shot,” White said during the post-fight presser. But with the #2 middleweight contender’s take on the fight, Chimaev’s path to the title isn’t as clear-cut as many assumed after the White’s green light.

The reigning champ, Dricus Du Plessis, with a stellar 22-2 record, heads into the Octagon next month on a 10-fight win streak. His first encounter with Strickland at UFC 297 was an instant classic, earning ‘Fight of the Night’ honors, and the rematch is shaping up to be another explosive showdown. As ‘Stillknocks’ and ‘Tarzan’ prepare for one of the most anticipated middleweight bouts in recent memory, the spotlight ever so slightly shifts to Chimaev. Can he prove he is deserving of a title shot next, or will the pressure get to him?

And can ‘Borz’, who jumped from #13 at welterweight to #3 at middleweight, handle the intensity that Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland bring to the table? After all, ‘Stillknocks’ is on a tear.

Is Khamzat Chimaev ready for a title shot, or is Dana White jumping the gun?

The Chechen has been a wrecking ball since his UFC debut, racking up dominant wins with an 85% finishing rate. Most recently, he stunned the world with a jaw-twisting, face-crank submission over Robert Whittaker. But despite his undeniable talent and unwavering record, his unpredictable fight schedule raises some serious questions. Is Chimaev really ready for a shot at the winner of UFC 312, or is his path to the title more complicated than we think?

Sure, ‘Borz’ has made a massive impact with his raw power and aggression, but there’s something to be said about his inactivity. Since that whirlwind of three fights in 65 days back in 2020, he had fought only five times. And that’s mainly due to his faltering health, which saw him benched for extended periods.

Interesting Fact: Throughout his entire professional MMA career, Khamzat Chimaev has featured in 14 bouts. He finished nine of them in Round 1.

A fighter on the rise like himself needs to stay active in a division that’s heating up faster than the Arctic region. Both Du Plessis and Strickland have been consistently facing high-level competition, which makes one wonder whether Chimaev can keep up.

If Adesanya’s DDP prediction proves correct, the Chechen wolf might need to pause and reconsider his next move. Waiting longer for a title shot could be the best option, but how long can he afford to stay on the sidelines after already having missed out on past opportunities? The clock is ticking, and the UFC middleweight picture is shifting by the day.

What’s next for Khamzat Chimaev? Will he bide his time, staying sharp for the winner of UFC 312 or will the undefeated phenom continue his rise? Only time will tell.