Morne Visser, coach of Dricus du Plessis, delivered a firm warning to Kamaru Usman by pointing to Du Plessis’s past performance against Khamzat Chimaev. He suggests that undervaluing the South African fighter’s striking might lead to costly surprises.
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Analysis and Opinions
Dricus du Plessis’s coach sends warning to Kamaru Usman: ‘We all saw what Dricus did to Khamzat’
Photo by Bloody Elbow
Key Takeaways:
- Morne Visser doubts Kamaru Usman will engage Du Plessis in a striking match.
- Du Plessis believes Khamzat Chimaev subverted his expectations.
- Visser highlights Du Plessis’s previous success as a reason for Usman’s caution.
- “We all saw what Dricus did to Khamzat,” emphasizes Du Plessis’s coach.
- The original story appeared on Bloody Elbow on July 16, 2026.
The Coach’s Concerns
Morne Visser, the longtime coach of South African mixed martial artist Dricus du Plessis, recently addressed Kamaru Usman in no uncertain terms. Visser believes that Usman may think twice about testing Du Plessis with a purely stand-up approach. “We all saw what Dricus did to Khamzat,” Visser noted, cautioning the former UFC Welterweight Champion against taking unnecessary risks on the feet.
Lessons from Chimaev
The experience Du Plessis had against Khamzat Chimaev was an eye-opener. According to Du Plessis, Chimaev brought an unexpected style to their matchup, shifting tactics in ways that subverted the initial game plan. Despite those surprises, Du Plessis found a way to adapt and ultimately showcased his versatility.
Warning for Usman
Visser points to that adaptability as the core reason Usman should be wary of underestimating Du Plessis. If Chimaev’s unorthodox moves were not enough to derail the South African fighter, Visser suggests, then Usman’s strategy must account for Du Plessis’s proven ability to handle unexpected challenges. With his coach backing him, Du Plessis remains confident—and ready to remind everyone of what he did to Khamzat.
