Agreeing with that sentiment is Morne Visser, Du Plessis’ head coach, who just a day removed from losing the title at UFC 319, has slammed Chimaev’s performance.

Khamzat Chimaev finally lived up to his early promise on Saturday night, utterly dominating Dricus du Plessis to claim the UFC middleweight championship at UFC 319.

Whittaker, who was quickly submitted by Chimaev at UFC 308, went on to lose his second-straight fight to Reinier de Ridder (21-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) last month in the UFC on ABC 9 headliner. De Ridder was able to survive a Round 3 knockdown to outlast Whittaker.

Unlike his two prior title defences, the build-up to Dricus du Plessis’ third title defence, against Khamzat Chimaev, has been strictly focused on the action inside the octagon.

It wasn't a big climb for Khamzat Chimaev-- he already was the No. 2-ranked middleweight -- but there's something symmetrical about his short climb to the top of the ESPN divisional rankings just days after becoming UFC champion.