Zombie King vs. The Wolf: Analyzing Dricus Du Plessis

I used to scream towards Dricus Du Plessis. Hated him.

When he made Izzy cry on the press convention, then submitted him within the cage, I wished to hate him much more. However then he shattered Sean Strickland’s nostril in his subsequent protection—after making him cry through the buildup too.

That’s when it hit me: This man’s a rattling beast.

Two Losses That Don’t Outline Him

It’s a must to dig deep to search out somebody who really beat the “Dutchman,” as Sean Strickland usually calls him.

One loss got here when Dricus was 20 years previous, combating 32-year-old Garreth “Soldier Boy” McLellan. It seemed like a dad wrestling his cocky son within the storage.

The opposite? A 2018 KO at KSW 45, when Croatian knockout artist Roberto Soldić landed an ideal left hand that shut his lights off chilly.The announcer went so far as saying that the punch carried extra energy than Mexico.

Since then? Undefeated. Three UFC title fights. And climbing.

“He Can Take Me Down. That’s Not the Downside.”

One of many loudest narratives heading into UFC 319 is that Khamzat Chimaev goes to ragdoll Du Plessis. That his stress and wrestling are simply an excessive amount of. However Dricus sees it in a different way—and he’s stated so with a peaceful that feels virtually disrespectful.

“Do I imagine Khamzat can take me down? Completely. However as soon as he has me there… that’s an issue. For him.” – Dricus Du Plessis to MMA Mania

That’s not bravado—it’s simply readability. He’s educated in judo since age 5. Competed in kickboxing, wrestling, and MMA throughout EFC, KSW, and now the UFC. His floor sport is stable. His submission wins are actual. And he begged the UFC for this struggle.

He wished the person so many different UFC fighters didn’t need, the Wolf, Khamzat Chimaev.

The Most Awkward Puzzle in MMA

Reineir De Ridder stated it straight: Dricis is sort of not possible to coach for as a result of you’ll be able to’t mimic Du Plessis in coaching.

He fights like a zombie with knockout energy. His footwork is awkward. His motion seems to be off. After which—in some way—he lands.

Making an attempt to arrange for him is like fixing a puzzle the place the items maintain altering form. It doesn’t make sense. That’s why it really works.

The Cardio Benefit No one Talks About

Right here’s what the betting markets are lacking: Dricus will get stronger when everybody else is drowning.

Towards Adesanya, he seemed drained in rounds two and three. Then got here again in rounds 4 and 5 like he’d been saving vitality. Towards Strickland, similar story—took punishment early, then wore him down with relentless stress.

Khamzat has by no means been previous spherical three. He’s fought one five-rounder in his profession (Burns), and even then, he light after the early explosion. When that wrestling fails to get the end, when the tempo slows and the struggle turns ugly in rounds 4 and 5—that’s Dricus territory.

Why This Battle Shouldn’t Make Sense—However Does

Khamzat is undefeated. He mauled Meerschaert in 17 seconds. Dismantled Gilbert Burns. Made Robert Whittaker’s mouth seem like summary artwork. He’s 14–0 and fights like he’s sprinting via a constructing on hearth.

And that’s why… he’s the favourite towards the champ. No title fights. No five-round wars. However the betting markets belief him greater than the man who’s already defended the belt twice.

Why?

As a result of Dricus doesn’t look excellent. He seems to be beatable—proper up till he isn’t. He breathes heavy. He swings wild. He seems to be weak.

However he retains profitable. And he will get stronger when it will get ugly.

My Name

I’ve flipped. From screaming towards him to watching him break males with stress and poise.

Khamzat often is the wolf—however Dricus is one thing worse. He’s the person who doesn’t go away. Who doesn’t break. Who survives lengthy sufficient to make you drown in deep water.

When Khamzat’s wrestling stalls in spherical 4, when his gasoline tank hits empty, when the struggle turns into the type of ugly, grinding struggle that Dricus loves—that’s when the zombie king takes over.

Choose: Du Plessis by TKO, Spherical 4. Late end after carrying down Chimaev’s cardio.

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