The $10,000 Takedown Challenge: A Psychological Ploy
Dricus Du Plessis, the UFC middleweight champion with an unblemished 9-0 UFC record, has never been one to shy away from bold gestures. His coach, Morne Visser, upped the stakes by offering $10,000 to any training partner who can successfully take down Du Plessis during practice. Du Plessis highlighted this challenge on Instagram, posting, “My face when the 2 hour session is done and @coachmornevisser says everyone line up, 10k for the first guy to take down DDP and you think it’s a joke but coach doesn’t joke about these things.” The caption, paired with visuals of his training, appears to be a direct jab at Chimaev, whose wrestling-heavy style has dominated opponents like Robert Whittaker and Kamaru Usman.
Chael Sonnen, a former UFC title contender and renowned MMA analyst, addressed the challenge in a recent Instagram video, framing it as a calculated psychological move. He speculated on how the fight might unfold if Chimaev, known for his relentless takedowns, struggles to bring Du Plessis to the mat. “Dricus du Plessis has a $10,000 proposal for Chimaev: ‘I’ll give you $10,000 every time you can take me down.’ So, what does a fight look like between Chimaev and Dricus if there’s no takedowns?” Sonnen said, suggesting that Du Plessis is attempting to plant doubts in Chimaev’s mind about his grappling dominance.
Furthermore, as the influence of online platforms has grown, online betting toshi.bet, and other sports-related businesses have caught the wave of enthusiasm generated by UFC 319 main event.
Sonnen further elaborated on his YouTube channel, noting that Du Plessis has been sharpening his grappling with South Africa’s national Greco-Roman wrestling team, drawing parallels to elite wrestlers like Randy Couture and Dan Henderson. “When Dricus says, ‘You can’t take me down,’ it’s a big claim coming from the champion of the world,” Sonnen remarked, emphasizing the champion’s confidence in his takedown defense.
The Sonnen Blunder: A Viral Mistake
Sonnen’s analysis wasn’t without controversy. In a now-infamous mix-up, his YouTube video initially titled the challenge as aimed at Sean Strickland instead of Chimaev, with the description reading, “Chael Sonnen talks Dricus Du Plessis $10,000 offer to Sean Strickland on this episode of Beyond the Fight.” Fans on X quickly called out the error, with one commenting, “Chael, are you hiring for a virtual assistant? I won’t put the wrong names in your video titles,” while another quipped, “Can’t let accurate titles get close!” referencing Sonnen’s past rivalry with Wanderlei Silva. The mistake even sparked humorous fan reactions, with some dubbing a mythical fighter, “Sean ‘Borz’ Chimaev.” Despite the gaffe, Sonnen’s commentary remains a focal point of discussion as the fight nears.
The UFC 319 Showdown: A Battle of Styles
The Du Plessis-Chimaev clash is a stylistic masterpiece, pitting the champion’s unorthodox striking and resilience against Chimaev’s suffocating grappling and explosive starts. Du Plessis (23-2, 9-0 UFC) has defied odds with wins over former champions Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland (twice), and Robert Whittaker, showcasing his ability to thrive under pressure. Chimaev (14-0, 8-0 UFC), meanwhile, is coming off a first-round submission of Whittaker at UFC 308, a performance that solidified his status as the division’s top contender.
Sonnen believes the fight’s outcome could hinge on the first round. “If he [Du Plessis] can defend a takedown for the entire first five minutes, it’s only going to get easier after that,” he said, noting that Chimaev’s aggressive style often fades in later rounds, as seen in his decision wins over Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman. This sentiment is echoed by other analysts, including former champion Robert Whittaker, who described Chimaev’s initial takedown attempts as “crazy” but suggested Du Plessis’ size and grappling could pose challenges if the fight extends.
The Social Media War: Du Plessis’ Verbal Jabs
Beyond the challenge, Du Plessis has kept the pressure on Chimaev through social media. When the UFC announced Nassourdine Imavov as the backup fighter for UFC 319, Du Plessis took a swipe at Chimaev’s history of fight cancellations, tweeting congratulations to the backup and implying Chimaev might not show up. Sonnen found this approach intriguing, stating, “Anybody that wants to poke the bear that is Chimaev, I find interesting. There’s not a lot of guys that want to poke that bear.” Fans on X erupted over Du Plessis’ latest verbal salvo, a response to Chimaev’s jab at his coaching staff, with one calling it a “10-7 Dricus” knockout.
The Bigger Picture: A Fight for the Ages
The $10,000 challenge is just one layer of a rivalry that promises fireworks. Du Plessis’ confidence stems from his training and past performances, while Chimaev’s preparation with Olympic-level wrestling coaches signals his intent to dominate. Sonnen’s earlier frustration with the UFC’s delay in booking this fight—expressed in March 2025 when he called it “annoying” that Chimaev wasn’t yet scheduled—underscores the anticipation surrounding this matchup.
With both fighters undefeated in the UFC and the middleweight title on the line, UFC 319 is set to be a defining moment. Will Du Plessis’ takedown defense and chaotic style outlast Chimaev’s relentless pressure, or will “Borz” claim his first UFC title? Sonnen’s analysis suggests that the champion’s bold challenge could either be a stroke of genius or a risky taunt against one of the most dangerous fighters in the sport.
Conclusion
Dricus Du Plessis’ $10,000 takedown challenge has added a thrilling psychological dimension to his UFC 319 clash with Khamzat Chimaev. Chael Sonnen’s insights highlight the strategic brilliance behind Du Plessis’ move, questioning whether Chimaev can dominate on the ground as expected. As the MMA world awaits August 16, 2025, the combination of verbal sparring, elite training, and contrasting styles ensures this title fight will be one for the history books. Whether Du Plessis can back up his bold claims or Chimaev proves his grappling is unstoppable remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the octagon in Chicago will be electric.