Overview

• At Thursday’s press conference Khamzat Chimaev warned “Africa is never gonna see the belt again” before UFC president Dana White stepped in to separate the fighters.
• Dricus Du Plessis has vowed to push a five-round pace and test Chimaev’s ground game as he pursues a third title defense.
• Chimaev dismissed retirement rumors and outlined plans to defend the middleweight title in Abu Dhabi and pursue additional belts if uninjured.
• Dana White predicted the main event has “no way” of not earning Fight of the Night honors during his Pardon My Take appearance.
• Betting markets have shifted in favor of the undefeated challenger even as analysts remain divided on whether Chimaev’s early blitz or Du Plessis’s endurance will decide the outcome.