One UFC champ lauds another: Du Plessis’s words of praise for Topuria
Ahead of his bout with Khamzat Chimaev, the UFC middleweight champion heaped praise on the Spanish-Georgian fighter Ilia Topuria.
Dricus du Plessis and Ilia Topuria have followed remarkably similar trajectories in the UFC. Both fighters remain undefeated within the promotion, each boasting nine victories under the UFC banner. They captured world titles in the same calendar year and even shared the spotlight on two occasions back in 2021 - first at UFC 264 and later at a UFC Fight Night event, which marked their respective debuts in the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization.
Du Plessis is set to make his third defense of the UFC middleweight crown on August 16 at UFC 319, where he’ll face off against Khamzat Chimaev. Ahead of the bout, the South African champion weighed in on the current state of the UFC’s divisions, offering high praise for Ilia Topuria, the reigning lightweight champion, and Tom Aspinall, the heavyweight titleholder.
“I rate him very highly as an all-round fighter”
Speaking about Topuria - with whom he shares a strong personal rapport - Du Plessis didn’t hold back in his admiration. “He’s one of those special characters,” he told Betway. “He’s going to be a Hall of Famer, no doubt. He’s the first unbeaten guy to have two titles. I’m super happy for him and I rate him very highly as an all-around fighter.”
“The next generation of heavyweights”
As for Aspinall, Du Plessis sees him as a generational talent poised to redefine the heavyweight division. “He’s the next generation of heavyweights, in my opinion,” the 31-year-old said. “He moves like a middle weight - he’s light on his feet, he can grapple, he can strike, he can wrestle. He’s going to be a great champion and I think he’s going to be a champion for a long time.”
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