Belal Muhammad, a former UFC welterweight champion, recently shared his bold prediction for the UFC 319 middleweight title fight. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Muhammad said he expects Khamzat Chimaev to overpower Dricus Du Plessis in their clash set for August 16, 2025, at the United Center in Chicago. He also challenged UFC analyst Din Thomas’ view that a Chimaev victory could hurt the UFC.
Chimaev’s Edge in the Octagon
Muhammad believes Chimaev’s skills will shine against Du Plessis.
“I think he can go out there and finish him dominantly, or even like Khabib [Nurmagomedov] said, just strike with him. I think he can outstrike him. I think he’ll make it look easy if he keeps it on the feet. Yeah, Dricus has a chin, he has cardio, he has an awkward style, he has toughness, but I think Chimaev is a lot cleaner,” Muhammad said.
With a 14-0 record, Chimaev’s precise striking and strong grappling give him an advantage. Muhammad feels that if Chimaev manages his energy well, he could make the fight look one-sided.
Din Thomas told MMA Junkie that Chimaev winning the title might be a “disaster” for the UFC, citing his infrequent fights—only three bouts since April 2022 due to health and visa issues. Muhammad strongly disagrees.
“I don’t know what the fudge Din Thomas is talking about, but I think he’s way off on this one. I think it’ll be one of the biggest things for the UFC if Chimaev wins the belt. I think he’ll probably be one of the biggest stars, superstars, the UFC has. He’s already a star. He already has that invincible aura about him. I think it’s only going to get bigger, especially if he goes out there and dominates Dricus, who’s on a hot streak, and I think he can,” Muhammad said
He sees a Chimaev win boosting the UFC’s global appeal, given his growing fanbase.
Du Plessis, 23-2 with a 9-0 UFC streak, claimed the middleweight title against Sean Strickland at UFC 297 in January 2024 and defended it against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in August 2024. Chimaev earned his shot with a first-round submission of Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 in October 2024. The UFC confirmed the fight on June 16, 2025, with Dana White naming Caio Borralho as the backup fighter.
The matchup pits Du Plessis’ unorthodox style and stamina against Chimaev’s aggressive pressure and versatility. Robert Whittaker told ESPN in July 2025 that Chimaev must finish early, as Du Plessis excels in later rounds
The fight carries weight beyond the cage. In June 2023, Du Plessis stirred controversy by claiming he was the first UFC champion to train in Africa, prompting a heated response from Adesanya before UFC 305. Chimaev’s middleweight journey began after a turbulent welterweight run, including a weight miss against Nate Diaz at UFC 279 in September 2022. Muhammad, who lost his welterweight title to Jack Della Maddalena in May 2025, has long supported Chimaev, his former teammate, predicting a title run as early as December 2024.
