Khamzat Chimaev addresses Dricus du Plessis potentially trash-talking him at UFC 319 pre-fight presser: "All the fighters talk"

Khamzat Chimaev is keeping his focus on the fight rather than the noise ahead of UFC 319.

The undefeated middleweight contender and Dricus du Plessis have traded words in recent months, with Chimaev even mocking du Plessis’ style during an open workout. Du Plessis, meanwhile, has questioned his rival’s hype and even went as far as to say he is everything Chimaev should have been.

Despite the verbal jabs, their recent meeting at the fighter hotel was cordial. Chimaev downplayed the interaction and said he does not take pre-fight talk personally. Speaking at the UFC 319 pre-fight media scrum, he said:

“I don’t know. I don’t know anything. Pressure, like what is it? Like, not take [it] personal, just we [are] doing our business, fighting and having fun doing some Twitter sh*t. I don’t know how to do but I try."

When asked about how he would react if du Plessis started trash-talking at the press conference, Chimaev added:

“All the fighters talk, but nothing is going to change here. Everyone has to fight in the cage anyway. So whatever he says I don’t care about. So I’m come here and to beat him up and take my money and go home.”

Check out Khamzat Chimaev's comments below:

Chimaev also praised du Plessis' recent performances. However, he did not offer any concrete prediction on how the opening round plays out. He said that his approach will be shaped by what happens when the cage door shuts.

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Khamzat Chimaev believes his time is now ahead of Dricus du Plessis clash

Khamzat Chimaev’s UFC rise has been fast, and he now stands on the brink of his first world title. His early run saw three finishes in just two months, followed by a long layoff.

Since then, he has tested himself in fights against legends of the sport, beating former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and submitting Robert Whittaker to cement his place as the next challenger to the throne.

At UFC 319, Chimaev plans to begin his reign by ending Dricus du Plessis’ unbeaten UFC run. Speaking in an interview with UFC, Chimaev said:

"I don't know. We'll see in the cage... I can't say [how it will feel]; I’ve never been champ. I know now is my time to be a champ, so I can tell after.”