Dricus Du Plessis / Getty Images

Dricus Du Plessis Breaks Silence on Brutal Sparring Rumor Before UFC 319

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Prince Horton | Last updated Aug 12, 2025 10:05 PM ET

The middleweight champ sets the record straight on an unusual training camp twist

UFC 319 is set to take over Chicago this weekend as the United Center plays host to a highly anticipated main event between two undefeated UFC fighters. Middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis will defend his crown against Khamzat Chimaev in a clash of styles that has fans buzzing. One fighter thrives in pressure-filled brawls, the other in calculated submission setups. In the lead-up to fight night, Du Plessis hinted that camp preparation took a heated turn.

The rumor first began making the rounds on social media before gaining traction in MMA circles. In a clip posted by Full Send MMA, Du Plessis addressed it head-on, confirming that his coach once threw down a high-stakes challenge in the gym:

‘Sometimes coach just rocks up in training and says it’s sparring day, 10k for the first knockout and Dricus, you’re in the middle, 10k for the first guy to take Dricus down.’ While he noted that the move was rare, Du Plessis embraced the intensity, saying he doesn’t like things easy — and especially doesn’t like to be taken down. This time, the $10K incentive became part of his UFC 319 preparation.

Dricus Du Plessis confirms the rumor that his coach offered his teammates $10K in cash to try and KO him or take him down during his training camp for Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 pic.twitter.com/ydKaV1IGnv
— FULL SEND MMA (@full_send_mma) August 12, 2025

Team Du Plessis appears to have pulled out all the stops for this title defense, sharpening their champion for one of the most dangerous submission specialists in the division. With Chimaev’s relentless grappling and Du Plessis’ explosive power, fans can expect a high-stakes showdown in Chicago — one that may determine the future of the middleweight division.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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