Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev Set for Multi-Million Dollar UFC 305 Showdown
- South Africa’s UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis is gearing up for a blockbuster showdown against unbeaten Russian contender Khamzat Chimaev in Chicago this weekend
- The bout is set to draw massive global attention, with both fighters bringing high stakes and impressive records into the octagon
- Fight purses are expected to hit record-breaking figures, adding extra weight to an already intense contest
South African UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis is set to face Russia’s Khamzat Chimaev in the highly anticipated UFC 305 bout in Chicago this weekend.
The clash, scheduled for Saturday, 16 August, promises fireworks as both fighters bring impressive records to the octagon.most spectacularly
Du Plessis enters the fight fresh from a victory over Australian Sean Strickland, while Chimaev is yet to taste defeat.

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How much will Du Plessis earn if he wins?
The stakes are high, with Sportskeeda reports that Chimaev stands to earn a record-breaking $1.8 million if he claims the championship title from “Stillknocks.” Du Plessis, on the other hand, is set for a potential $3 million payday if he retains his belt.
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In his last fight against Strickland, Du Plessis earned a base salary of $1.2 million, a $400,000 pay-per-view bonus, and $42,000 in sponsorships, totalling $2.14 million.
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When and where to watch the fight in South Africa?
The fight will be broadcast live from the United Centre in Chicago, with South African fans able to tune in at 4 a.m. (SA time) on Sunday. Coverage will air on SuperSport Action and Maximo 1, with the exact fight time dependent on the duration of the preliminary bouts.
Since making his UFC debut in 2020, Du Plessis has remained unbeaten. He claimed the middleweight title earlier in 2024 by edging Strickland via split decision at UFC 297.
He went on to secure a fourth-round submission win over Israel Adesanya at UFC 305, and later defeated Strickland again, this time by unanimous decision at UFC 312 in February.

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The South African champion has beaten all but two of his opponents in his MMA career. Speaking on his toughest challengers, Du Plessis said:
“When you go on pure toughness, you have to go with either Brad Tavares or Sean Strickland — just the amount of damage they were able to take and keep going.”
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Chimaev finally gets his shot at gold
Chimaev, long touted as a future champion, remains unbeaten since joining the UFC but has faced setbacks due to injuries and health issues.
Despite his inconsistent appearances, the Chechen-born Swede has thrilled fans with his aggressive style, securing eight victories in the Octagon, six of them by stoppage.
His most recent bout was a statement win, submitting former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in the first round at UFC 308, a performance that earned the 2024 Submission of the Year honours and finally propelled him into a title shot.
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Why UFC Africa won't happen yet
Briefly News previously reported that UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis shed light on why hosting a UFC event in South Africa remains unlikely for now.
He explained that ticket prices, which can reach nearly R1 million, are beyond what most locals can afford, making the event financially unfeasible. Du Plessis also pointed out that while South Africa has large venues, very few meet the UFC’s indoor arena standards.
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Source: Briefly News