UFC 319 - Du Plessis vs Chimaev

The way DDP was starting to take momentum from Chimaev late, despite the fight being as soft on Chimaevs gas tank as it could possibly have been, is why I picked him.... I do think in a bit more of an mma style fight, he could very well win... but Chimaev fought smart and didnt allow it to become one. Fair play to him... he showed an IQ I didnt think he had.


When Chimaev fights someone with better grappling, I still think he could be in a lot of trouble with these 5 rounders.


Personally though Im fine with him winning this way... thats the reality of the game.


On a side note... i think it cant be overstated how mentally strong ddp is to withstand that all fight and still have the will and fortitude to flip it on Chimaev at the end of all that. Actually quite amazing. Like DC said, many fighters would have given up the subs at some point.

Wonder who each guy will face next.

 

I think it gets overlooked a bit (not by you but just in general) the possibility that chimaev is still improving as a fighter.

He had only fought like 13 pro rounds when he fought burns... n like 17 when he fought Usman.

I actually still think, with this being his first 5 rounder, and him taking so little damage in his fights, I think he could very well still improve from here. Hes only 31 years old.

But man, it really is crazy just how vulnerable he becomes once he starts to fade. Its hard not seeing that be a consistent issue, considering how easy this fight was on his gas tank and he still faded down the stretch.

 

Am I crazy for thinking Ridder has a good chance against Chimaev?

Very intriguing fight to me.

 

But I mean, relatively speaking, its literally the easiest it could have possibly been for Chimaev, stamina wise. Riding someones back for almost entire rounds, having someone in a crucifix for minutes on end...

For a grappler who specializes in those positions, its as easy on your gas tank as it could have been.

A better grappler would have had chimaev spending much more energy on guard control, scrambles, and takedowns, and had they spent more time in the standup like usual, it also would have taken a bigger toll.

Relatively speaking, it couldnt have been softer on his cardio then what it was.

 

He doesnt deserve a shot and I hate how the ufc just recycles the same guys through title shots but I have to say given the bad blood I wouldnt mind a Chimaev vs Strickland fight.

 

Guess Chimaev just set the record for control time in a championship fight.

21:40 out of 25.


Would have been more but ref stood them up.

Domination.