Khamzat Chimaev looked delighted.
The source of his mirth was a boisterous crowd gathered in Chicago for the final press conference before he fights UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 on Saturday, Aug. 16.
Boos drowned out Du Plessis as he tried to answer the first question.
“Well, that was one of the best boos I’ve heard,’’ Du Plessis said when the noise finally died down. “Well done, gents, well done.’’
Almost as loud as the boos were the cheers for Chimaev, the Russian-born fighter with a bushy beard, scarred lip and mischievous grin. He has electrified fans with brutal victories en route to a 14-0 record and his first title show almost feels overdue as he prepares to face South Africa’s Du Plessis (23-2).
“Are you asking me if this is the fight of the year?’’ UFC’s Dana White said in response to a question at the press conference, and he grinned. “Yes, this is a big fight.’’
Maybe even bigger than initally realized gauged by the energy of the crowd that Chimaev fed with the grin and tough talk.
“Just going to go and (mess) him up, bro,’’ he said of Du Plessis. “That’s it, man.’’
Chimaev also said, “I come to take over, man. Take his head.’’
Take his head?
The crowd roared.
Of course the real show will take place in the octagon at the United Center when the 31-year-old fighters clash in a fight scheduled for five rounds.
“You have two of the best in the world right now in their prime for the title,’’ White said. “This is one of the best fights we’ve had in a long time. I don’t know how it plays out.’’
The sound of the crowd will let everyone know.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Khamzat Chimaev vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 319 press conference electric
