Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping has expressed significant surprise regarding the current betting odds for Dricus du Plessis` upcoming title defense against Khamzat Chimaev.
Du Plessis is scheduled to face the undefeated Chimaev for his third middleweight title defense at UFC 319 on August 16 in Chicago. Despite Du Plessis` recent impressive victories over elite fighters like Robert Whittaker, Israel Adesanya, and Sean Strickland, he is currently listed as a +150 underdog according to FanDuel. In contrast, Chimaev is a strong favorite at -194.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Bisping strongly questioned the odds, highlighting Du Plessis` proven performance in high-pressure bouts and contrasting it with Chimaev`s tendency to show signs of fatigue as fights wear on.
“The fact that they’ve got Dricus du Plessis as the underdog is insane,” Bisping stated. He praised Du Plessis` skills, noting his wrestling, strong jiu-jitsu, size for the division, and most importantly, his excellent conditioning. Bisping pointed out that Du Plessis has consistently demonstrated the ability to effectively compete through five rounds.
Conversely, Bisping recalled Chimaev`s past fights that went the distance, specifically against Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman. He observed that in those instances, opponents began to find success after the initial rounds when Chimaev couldn`t secure an early finish. Bisping emphasized that the upcoming bout is scheduled for five rounds, not three, and suggested that Chimaev`s high-intensity fighting style is unlikely to change, potentially leading to cardio issues in later rounds.
While acknowledging Chimaev`s perfect 14-0 professional record and his reputation for explosive early finishes (with five first-round wins in the UFC), Bisping mused that experiencing a loss earlier in his career might have provided valuable lessons, particularly regarding pacing and preparation.
Bisping anticipates Chimaev will begin the fight with his characteristic aggressive onslaught, aiming for a quick finish. “Khamzat Chimaev is going to go right at him. He ain’t going to… about, he’s going to swing for the fences, he’s going to pick him up, he’s going to try and slam him down. He’s going to go berserk. He’s going to go mental and that’s what we love about him,” Bisping commented. However, he predicted that if Chimaev fails to get a stoppage within the first two rounds and starts to tire in rounds three, four, or five, Du Plessis is perfectly positioned to take control. Bisping described Du Plessis as a “big, powerful” fighter and a dangerous finisher himself, capable of capitalizing on a fading opponent.
Marcus Blakely