UFC 328 places Khamzat Chimaev’s middleweight title on the road in opposition to Sean Strickland this Saturday at Prudential Middle in Newark, New Jersey. Dricus du Plessis, who fought each males, gave his tackle the matchup throughout a latest interview.
Chimaev gained the belt final August at UFC 319 with a unanimous choice over du Plessis, scoring 50-44 throughout all judges after touchdown 37 of 47 vital strikes and controlling over 21 minutes. He holds a 15-0 file and makes his first protection. Strickland, now 30-7, misplaced the title to du Plessis at UFC 297 through break up choice and once more at UFC 312 through unanimous choice, the place du Plessis landed 129 whole strikes. The 2 traded phrases on-line forward of the struggle, turning a previous coaching partnership right into a heated rivalry.
Sean Strickland Given Actual Probability to Upset Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328
Du Plessis sees the opening spherical as key. He mentioned, “I do know he’s going to get Sean Strickland down, however preserving him there’s the large query.” He added that Strickland brings bodily power to the desk. “Strickland’s a robust man, rather a lot stronger than Khamzat on a bodily stage. I feel he’s going to shock some individuals.”
Du Plessis pointed to Strickland‘s endurance as an element later within the struggle. “We’ve seen Strickland’s cardio, as soon as Khamzat has to struggle Strickland’s struggle, I don’t assume he has a lot of an opportunity.” He famous Chimaev’s assaults lack shock. “Khamzat throws arduous and kicks arduous, however not scary arduous, and he’s a bit predictable, you may see the photographs coming.” Du Plessis wrapped up by saying the primary 5 minutes will present the trail ahead. “I feel the primary spherical will inform us precisely the way it’s going to play out.”
Chimaev depends on freestyle wrestling to take opponents down, then makes use of high management for ground-and-pound or submissions. He mixes in strikes from orthodox stance, together with knockouts like his 17-second end of Gerald Meerschaert. In opposition to du Plessis, he accomplished 12 of 17 takedowns.
Strickland averages 6.04 vital strikes per minute with 42% accuracy and 60% placing protection, whereas defending 76% of takedowns. He beat Paulo Costa through break up choice at UFC 302, outlanding him 182-158 in strikes with no takedowns. His jab and counters saved du Plessis at bay in spots throughout their fights.
