Dricus du Plessis and Zhang Weili continue to hold the top spots in their respective divisions.
Last weekend, UFC 312 took place in Sydney, where both champions successfully defended their titles for the second time this year. Weili solidified her status as the best pound-for-pound female fighter by defeating Tatiana Suarez convincingly in the co-main event. In the main event, du Plessis proved his critics wrong with a dominant decision victory over Sean Strickland in their rematch.
With plenty of exciting moments to discuss, let’s delve into your questions.
Dricus du Plessis
“Where does DDP currently rank among UFC middleweight champions, and what do you think of his chances against Khamzat Chimaev?”
Du Plessis has had an impressive run in the UFC with 9 wins, 0 losses, and victories over top contenders. He is currently positioned as the fourth-greatest middleweight champion in UFC history, behind Anderson Silva, Israel Adesanya, and Chris Weidman. His potential matchup against Khamzat Chimaev could be a defining moment in his career.
While du Plessis may not surpass Silva’s record-setting title defenses, he has the opportunity to challenge Adesanya’s legacy with continued success in the middleweight division.
Despite the challenges of living up to Silva’s standards, du Plessis has the chance to make a significant impact in the division and solidify his place among the all-time greats.
DDP vs. Khamzat Chimaev
“DDP vs Khamzat is the real life version of a toddler taking two action figures and smashing them together head first until one breaks, who breaks who in this fight?”
The anticipated showdown between du Plessis and Chimaev is set to be a thrilling encounter later this year. While Chimaev is regarded as a formidable force, du Plessis possesses the attributes to challenge his dominance.
Chimaev’s grappling expertise will be tested against du Plessis’s size, athleticism, and fighting acumen. The matchup promises to be a battle of strengths, with du Plessis having the tools to counter Chimaev’s aggressive style.
While Chimaev is a formidable opponent, du Plessis’s skill set and endurance could give him the edge in what is expected to be a closely contested fight.
Other middleweights
“Nassourdine Imavov next for DPP? I know we want to see Khamzat but can you justify he’s earned it over Imavov?”
In a merit-based scenario, Imavov could be a strong contender for du Plessis, but the matchup with Chimaev takes precedence. However, Imavov should position himself as a backup fighter for the Chimaev fight, given the unpredictable nature of such bouts.
Zhang Weili
“Is Zhang Weili at her peak at the moment? Her recent performances have been impressive, but is there more to come based on her age and championship status?”
Zhang Weili is currently showcasing her peak abilities, and her continuous improvement suggests a promising future. Despite the challenges of aging in combat sports, Zhang’s dominance in her division indicates that she may hold the title for several more years.
While a move to a different weight class is on the horizon, Zhang’s success at strawweight could solidify her legacy as one of the all-time greats in the sport.
Flyweight
“Do you think Valentina Shevchenko would defeat Weili Zhang convincingly? How do their physical attributes and skills compare?”
While Shevchenko may have the physical advantage over Zhang, the latter’s recent performances indicate a competitive matchup. Shevchenko’s career stage and Zhang’s evolving skills make the potential fight intriguing, with no clear favorite.
Other fights
“Thoughts on the Jimmy Crute vs Rodolfo Bellato draw?”
While the main and co-main events stole the spotlight, the draw between Crute and Bellato provided an entertaining matchup. Despite the outcome, the fight added value to the event and showcased the fighters’ skills.
Oof
“Was this the worst three fights to ever open up a PPV?”
While the event may not have started on a high note, it is not unprecedented in UFC history. The unpredictability of fight sports often results in varying levels of excitement in different matchups.
Thank you for reading and for sending in your questions! If you have any queries related to combat sports, feel free to reach out to me @JedKMeshew. I look forward to answering more of your questions in the future. Stay tuned!