By handing Chimaev his first-career loss, Sonnen says Du Plessis would move up a couple of spots in the UFC's pound-for-pound rankings. Du Plessis holds two wins over Sean Strickland, and finishes over former middleweight champions Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya.

Dricus du Plessis is set to defend his middleweight title against undefeated Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 on Aug. 16 in Chicago.

UFC 319 is shaping up to be a battle between an immovable object and an unstoppable force. Dricus du Plessis, the reigning UFC middleweight champion, will defend his title against the undefeated juggernaut Khamzat Chimaev in what promises to be one of the year’s most explosive main events.