Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland has offered his perspective on a potential clash between current titleholder Dricus Du Plessis and undefeated challenger Khamzat Chimaev. Strickland expressed confidence that Du Plessis possesses the capability to hand Chimaev the first loss of his professional career.
Discussing Chimaev`s grappling ability, Strickland stated:
“Chimaev knows how to wrestle. I’ve trained such fools for years, and I usually could counterattack and wrestle with them. So I just don’t know if this Drikus can put up anything against his wrestling. But if he can, I think he’ll win, no problem.”
He further added, based on personal experience:
“I’ve sparred with this Chechen. Certainly, I think Drikus will win. It all comes down to whether he can stop this Chimaev’s takedown and perform counter-wrestling against him, but it’s not difficult,” Strickland said in an interview with Helen Yee.
It has been announced that Du Plessis and Chimaev are set to face each other on August 17th. Their highly anticipated bout will serve as the main event for UFC 319, taking place in Chicago, USA.
Tristan Blackwood