Overview

• Du Plessis has challenged Chimaev to maintain a relentless pace for 25 minutes, asserting that his five-round experience gives him the edge.
• Chimaev dismissed retirement rumors and said he plans to defend the middleweight belt at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi if he wins in Chicago.
• UFC president Dana White said he is unconcerned by Chimaev’s past inactivity and confident the challenger will remain active as champion.
• The viral fight-week face-off that sparked size debates was downplayed by Du Plessis, who insists physical dimensions won’t decide the outcome.
• Chimaev has brought in new conditioning coaches and shared viral strength footage with Daniel Cormier to counter doubts about his endurance.