Dricus du Plessis “begged” the UFC to let him fight Khamzat Chimaev in enemy territory, promises to “shock the world”

The first walk by Dricus du Plessis in the iconic United Center of Chicago was memorable.

The UFC’s average weight champion should defend his belt against one of the most formidable fighters in sport – the unshaked Chechen Mauler Khamzat Chimaev – at the top of the UFC 319 payment card at the home of the NBA Chicago Bulls on August 16.

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Although from Plessis is from South Africa, he studied the mentality of one of the most revered and ruthless sports heroes in America, Michael Jordan.

It is therefore not surprising that he was impressed by the statue of Jordan, reading the simple but powerful inscription of 11 words which gives it back: “The best there is. The best will be there.”

“These are goals, for any athlete,” said Plessis on “The Ariel Helwani Show” by Non-Couronne “.

“Michael Jordan is one of my sports heroes. I have read so many books on his state of mind and how he approaches things.”

Now, Du Plessis traces his own path, not only towards another defense of the championship, but also for outright domination in sport.

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The 31 -year -old said without a court that he was a spot n ° 1 book for book by Targ Eting MMA. He wants to go out like Jordan, as a legend in good faith of the game he plays. He is not content to settle for the inheritance of others – he wants to continue forging his.

Du Plessis has already beat the former UFC champion, Robert Whittaker, Sean Strickland (twice) and Israel Adesanya. Anyway, he is the oppressed of the favorite of booming bookmakers, Chimaev.

“He’s a special fighter … incredibly good,” said Plessis about his challenger.

Spend time around the Plessis and it quickly becomes obvious that he has no qualms about recognizing the greatness of his opponents. It is because he is so confident in his own growth as a fighter and champion.

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This is something that his criticisms may have been slow to recognize. Yes, Plessis has an annoying style of strike. And although it seems that he breathes strongly after only one turn, he really has one of the best engines on the list. It is not an accident. It is the product of the work of a life. And it is the work that he continues to adapt to date.

“I don’t care if people say:” Dricus is not a good champion, “he said. “I am paid, I defend the belt, twice, and now a third time. I never had boring fight.

“Until a month ago, I fought everyone in the first five except Nassourdine IMAVOV. It is the curriculum vitae. I want to fight the best guys, and I wanted the khamzat to fight so badly.

“I receive respect for more people now, but I am proven, I win. My style is not for everyone, it’s annoying. “

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It is embarrassing expressly.

“This is something they have never seen,” said Plessis. “This is why it is annoying. How do you defend that? I do things in a way for which my coaches and I trained. We look at a fighter,” that’s how they do it, and it’s a better way to do it. “Sometimes it works, sometimes not.

“If you launch your strikes like everyone else, finally someone will be able to understand this. It is not that I am clumsy … I am different. While people criticized, they should take notes because they will be late and will have to catch up with the catch -up.”

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Although Du Plessis has found his groove as a champion, he notes his current capacities as a simple six out of 10. “I am far from giving the performance I know that I can,” he promised.

“I continue the perfect turn and the perfect fight. I think it’s impossible, but it’s worth running. ”

It is a state of mind that compares itself to Jordan, which has constantly fought to remain elite. For Plessis, it is a question of seeing that the perfect performance – something that he may feel in himself.

Comparisons do not stop there.

No matter how brutal it may seem for a neutral observer, Jordan’s killer instinct was so fierce that coach Mike Malone said one day that the shooter “would reach your chest and remove your heart if he had to win a match”. Du Plessis also has in his soul, because he would fight anyone for the championship. He said he even asked the UFC to reserve the fight in enemy territory, in front of the fans of his opponent.

“I begged them, in fact – I wanted to fight [Chimaev] In Abu Dhabi, fighting in his neck of woods, as I did with so many other opponents, “said Plessis.” I grew up a lot.

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“I would fight my brother for my title, if I had to do it, and I would try to kill him. I promise you. And he’s my best friend. When we enter the [Octagon]There are no friends. There is no relationship in a fight. »»

Fortunately, on August 16, from Plessis did not beat a friend or a parent. He fights Chimaev, someone to whom he does not consider much as a person, but still holds in high esteem.

“From the first time I saw him fight, I knew he was going to be special,” said Plessis about his challenger.

“There has never been a scene where I thought he was surface. It is as good as people think. But I’m better than people don’t think so. ”

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If, indeed, Plessis is better than people think, and that it leaves the united center with a resounding victory on Chimaev, then it could push him higher on the book list for the book.

Du Plessis rents the UFC light weight champion, Ilia Topuria, like the last n ° 1 of the sport for the way Topuria defeated Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira in consecutive fights. “Absolutely incredible,” said Plessis about the attacker. “Merab [Dvalishvili] is also incredible. People have gotten used to [Islam] Makhachev has won that they forgot how incredible he is. »»

Given the proven exploits of these first three, the Plessis said that it would be a difficult demand to jump one of them with a single victory over Chimaev.

However, before his career was over, he was “classified at the top”, whatever. He promises.

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“”[Chimaev is] Incredibly good, “said Plessis.” But Jeez, I can’t wait. This victory? It will be the story. I go there and I will shock the world again.

“You will see the Boogeyman interrupting it and realizing that there will be only one Boogeyman in the division.

“And this man will be me.”