Dricus du Plessis opens up on tough UFC title loss to Khamzat Chimaev

Dricus du Plessis admits his one-sided UFC middleweight title loss to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 in August 2025 still stings. The South African fighter, who had two successful title defenses before the bout, struggled to accept the defeat, calling it a 'bitter pill to swallow.'

What happened at UFC 319?

Du Plessis entered the Octagon in Chicago as the underdog against Chimaev, who dominated the fight for nearly 22 minutes. The judges scored the bout unanimously in Chimaev’s favor, ending du Plessis’ eight-year unbeaten streak. The loss marked the first time in years that du Plessis had to confront the reality of defeat.

Why the loss hit hard

In a recent interview with UFC, du Plessis revealed how the loss affected him. 'I hadn’t lost in eight years before that, and kind of forgot how it felt,' he said. 'Now, I know exactly why. I absolutely hate it. I hate losing. I hate not being the champion.' The fighter emphasized his determination to reclaim the title, stating, 'I deserve a title. I have to have that title.'

The road to recovery

Du Plessis admitted that moving past the loss took time. 'It stung for, I would say a month after that fight,' he said. 'You can’t help it.' Despite the setback, he remains focused on his next fight against former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman at UFC Oklahoma on Saturday. Usman, who had a competitive bout with Chimaev nearly three years ago, now faces du Plessis, who is the betting favorite.

What’s next for Dricus du Plessis?

While his upcoming bout isn’t for the championship, du Plessis knows the stakes are high. A win against Usman could propel him back into title contention. 'I am a guy that’s the best in the world,' he said. 'I will do it again.' As he prepares for his return, du Plessis remains confident in his ability to reclaim the middleweight crown.