Anthony Hernandez, a top UFC middleweight contender, provided a sharp analysis of Dricus Du Plessis’ middleweight title loss to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 on August 16, 2025, in Chicago. In an interview with MMA Fighting, Hernandez explained why Du Plessis struggled, praised Chimaev’s wrestling dominance, and noted the fight’s lack of excitement for fans who prefer striking. He also shared his goal of earning a title shot, trusting his coaches to prepare him for a future fight against Chimaev.
Why Du Plessis Lost
Hernandez was initially surprised by Du Plessis’ defeat but quickly saw tactical errors.
“I was [surprised], until I started watching what DDP was doing,” he told MMA Fighting. “It’s like, bro, you’re doing all big explosive strong guy shit. That shit doesn’t work against good wrestlers, like they can flow off of that shit. So like DDP just kind of f*cked himself on that, and then Khazmat did a really good job of keeping the pressure on him, keeping him on his hands, keeping it so he couldn’t get up, and I mean, it’s very high level on Khazmat’s end.”
He pinpointed the second round as the moment Du Plessis faltered.
“[But] after about the second round [is] when I realized he couldn’t do shit, and he didn’t know what to do, and like he was just still flexing hella hard on shit. I was like, ‘Oh, OK. He’s f*cked.’”
Chimaev’s wrestling led to a unanimous decision win (50-44, 50-44, 50-44), with 12 takedowns and 21:40 of ground control.
A Fan’s Take
Hernandez, who loves action-packed fights, found the bout dull due to its grappling focus.
“But to watch as a fan and watch to enjoy blood and shit, like people cracking the fck out of each other and like mixing it up. It was kind of boring, but like, that’s just my opinion. I’m a fighter, too. So, I mean, I try to send it, usually, and I’ve been there, too, where it’s like, you’re kind of hurt and you gotta just fcking do what you gotta do to win. So I get it, but I look forward to when I get to fight that guy. Right now, I’ve got some more proving to do, so I’m going to go prove a point and then how the f*cking shit plays out, it plays out.”
He favors striking over grappling.
“No, I get it, but people pay to see violence,” Hernandez said. “People pay to see blood. I don’t even watch fights, to be honest, and the only time they can catch my attention is when I see someone getting fcked up, you know? Or they’re both fcking sending it. As an enjoyment, I don’t watch fights, but when that shit happens, I’m like, ‘Oh shit, hold up, let me let me put the joint out real quick and watch this, you know what I mean? I enjoy seeing that shit.”
Hernandez gave Chimaev credit for a smart performance.
“But you’re not going to catch me being like, ‘Oh, I love grappling so much that I’m just going to watch this fight. You would never catch me saying that shit. I grew up striking, I love striking. I don’t know, I think I love that side of fighting. Khamzat usually does send it. Like most of his fights, he is sending it. He does. But like I said, he did a smart thing. He shut him down, like solidified the belt, and now it’s his call, you know what I mean. He did everything right. He probably should do that for [his] first [title defense]. He played it safe, played it smart, so respect to him on that shit, and he did it very good and beautiful in a way, but as a fan it’s like, I don’t know. I want [to see] someone get hurt.”
Hernandez’s Title Goals
Hernandez, ranked No. 6 in the middleweight division, aims to challenge Chimaev.
“I don’t know, when the fcking time comes, man, my coaches will have a fcking game plan, like a drawing board and, at the end of the day, I’m always going to listen to them,” he said. “This is a group effort. It’s not just me, you know what I mean? At the end of the day, yes, I’m in the pilot seat, but this is a group effort and they help me very f*cking much, and I trust them with all my life. So when that time comes, and [that] approach comes, I’ll be ready for it.” via MMAFighting
His recent win, a fourth-round submission via rear-naked choke over Roman Dolidze at UFC Fight Night on August 9, 2025, extended his win streak to eight, earning him a Performance of the Night bonus. Hernandez is set to face Reinier de Ridder on October 18, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 262.
