Khamzat Chimaev & Arman Tsarukyan Link-Up on the Cards as Dricus Du Plessis Put on Alert After UFC 319 Fight News

“Guess I’m fighting Nassourdine Imavov,” Dricus du Plessis replied on the X account Championship Round’s post that Imavov will serve as the backup fighter for UFC 319. The statement was a clear jab at Khamzat Chimaev’s history of pulling out due to illness, another move in the ongoing mind games from the South African champion. Meanwhile, ‘Borz’ seems to be reuniting with Arman Tsarukyan, sharpening his tools to rip the middleweight title from ‘Stillknocks’ shoulders.

Tsarukyan and Chimaev share a strong bond, having supported each other multiple times throughout their careers. The Armenian lightweight is confident that Chimaev will come out on top in his upcoming clash with Du Plessis. In an interview with Helen Yee, Tsarukyan said, “Well, Khamzat, he’s so strong and for sure he’s the next [middleweight] champion. He has very good wrestling and striking. He likes to fight, and I can’t wait to see his next fight.”

This time, ‘Ahalkalakets’ also might join Khamzat’s gym in America. ‘Borz’ told Adam Zubayraev on his YouTube video: “Arman is in America now, he’ll probably join the team there.” That is definitely an interesting development in the team, as the Armenian superstar might be seeing on the mat, training with Chimaev himself. Both are the topmost wrestlers in the UFC, and Tsarukyan is also fresh from a grappling match against Team Khabib’s Makkasharip Zaynukov at Karate Combat 54.

It’s not the only time they have been training together. Arman and Khamzat got into a friendly submission match back in 2024. He told Ariel Helwani last year, “Yeah, he’s tough. He’s really tough. I thought he knew wrestling, but not like this. He’s tough, strong, and big. But it was a submission-only [match]. I just wanted to not give him the submission, and for it to be a draw. But if you were to count the takedowns and control, he got more than me.”

Clearly, Khamzat Chimaev’s grappling prowess has always been a problem for others, largely due to his sheer size and imposing stature. His top control alone would present serious challenges for someone like Tsarukyan, who is a lightweight during training. However, the 185 lbs submission machine’s camp for UFC 319 is looking solid with this amazing re-union.

Also, Arman Tsarukyan isn’t the only lightweight Khamzat Chimaev holds in high regard. There’s another superstar, currently gearing up to capture the second belt of his career, who has also earned Chimaev’s admiration and respect.

Khamzat Chimaev shares his thoughts about Ilia Topuria

The former featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria, can be a little nerve-racking for many because of his confident and brash personality. However, Khamzat Chimaev paints a different picture of ‘El Matador.’ Both have known each other since their BRAVE FC days, and now that they are in the UFC, and have achieved great heights. ‘Borz’ especially reveals that the Georgian-Spaniard was a hard worker back then, and still is today.

Continuing the interview with Adam Zubayraev, he said: “Of course, even then he was a top fighter in BRAVE, just like me. We both fought in BRAVE. It was clear that he was a hard worker who wants to achieve something and he achieved everything that you can in this sport. If fighters were quiet, there would be no such interest. In regular life, I’ve met him, spent some time, ate together. He’s a decent, solid guy”

Chimaev’s praise for Topuria didn’t come out of the blue. Both had cornered Georgian fighter Guram Kutateladze in his bout against Kauê Fernandes at UFC London, where he unfortunately suffered a loss. Despite the outcome, they displayed a tremendous amount of mutual respect, standing together in support of their teammate and handling the defeat as a united front.

It would obviously be an interesting scenario if Tsarukyan and Topuria were to face off, raising the question of whom Khamzat would support. But before that happens, what do you think about the lightweight contender’s inclusion in ‘Team Borz’? Could it make a difference in Khamzat’s fight against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319? Let us know what you think!

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