Undefeated Chimaev challenges undisputed UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis for the 185-pound crown in the main event of UFC 319 on Saturday night, and Woodley said that, while Chimaev has the tools to become a UFC great, he isn’t quite at that level yet.
“Khamzat is good, but he’s not great,” Woodley told Action Network.
“He could be, and likely will be, but he’s not great right now – he’s not.”
On the other side of the matchup, Woodley said that he has been impressed with Du Plessis. The South African hasn’t tasted defeat since he arrived in the UFC, and he’s climbed the middleweight ladder and captured the undisputed title, defeating Sean Strickland (twice) and Israel Adesanya in championship fights.
Now he’s set to face Chimaev in a bout that has captured the imagination of fight fans and pundits alike, and Woodley thinks the South African’s toughness could see him prevail on fight night in Chicago.
“DDP has to be a spoiler (and) stay focused,” he offered.
“He’s shown up in fights and beaten people like ‘Stylebender’ (Adesanya). He’s kind of like the underdog, the people’s champion. He doesn’t talk much trash, but he wins a lot of fights. I think he could win this fight.”
When pressed to make a definitive pick, Woodley sided with the champion as he backed Du Plessis to retain his title for the third time.
“I’mma go DDP, just because I hate when they try to force-feed a star,” he stated.
“I hate when they try to groom somebody into something.
“You let them fight. Let them sort out what they’re gonna do. And I feel like there’s been a lot of grooming of him, and there’s been a lot of talk, and a lot of hype.
“I give him his credit, but I’mma just play the wild card, I’m gonna go with DDP.”
