CHICAGO – Dricus Du Plessis believes he's knocking on the door of middleweight GOAT status. In the main event of UFC 319 ( ESPN+ pay-per-view) at United Center, Du Plessis (23-2 MMA, 9-0 UFC) puts his 185-pound title on the line against Khamzat Chimaev, who many believe is one of the toughest tests in the UFC, regardless of division.

Dricus du Plessis is not shy about where he stands on the middleweight GOAT debate. He’s clear: Anderson Silva is the greatest to ever do it at 185lbs. But heading into UFC 319, the South African fighter believes that a win over Khamzat Chimaev could put him within touching distance of Silva’s legacy – even with just three title defences to his