The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Episode Summary

Title: Daniel Cormier TV - Khamzat Chimaev on Dricus Du Plessis Looking "SMALLER," Fighting for Money
Host: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Release Date: August 15, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, hosted by Noah, Khamzat Chimaev, a prominent UFC fighter, discusses his upcoming bout against Dricus Du Plessis. The conversation delves into Chimaev's perceptions of his opponent, his motivations for fighting, training strategies, and his views on the significance of championship belts versus financial incentives.

Upcoming Fight Against Dricus Du Plessis

The primary focus of the episode centers around Chimaev's impending fight with Dricus Du Plessis, scheduled for UFC 319 in Chicago.

• Opponent Assessment:
  Chimaev expresses skepticism about Du Plessis, remarking that he appears "smaller" and underestimates his abilities.

  Khamzat Chimaev [05:13]: "What's your expectation for the fight this weekend? Though, because, I mean, Dricus du Plessis has been underestimated time and time again."

• Fight Expectations:
  Both Chimaev and Noah discuss the nature of the fight, with Chimaev confident in his preparation and abilities.

  Noah [05:09]: "If no injury, nothing's gonna happen there. I wanna go back in Abu Dhabi, defend my belt."

  Chimaev [05:32]: "Not ddp. Yeah, there's respect, big respect. But I never understood my opponent, so I just work hard for that fight. So gonna go beat that guy."

Motivations: Money Over Belt

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around Chimaev's prioritization of financial gain over pursuing championship titles.

• Chimaev’s Stance:
  Chimaev candidly states that the belt doesn't hold as much importance for him as the financial rewards associated with fighting.

  Noah [09:15]: "But the belt leads to the money to get the money, right?"

  Chimaev [09:46]: "I'm not taking the belt over the money. But the belt leads to the money to get the money, right?"

• Noah’s Perspective:
  Noah probes into this mindset, questioning the shift from valuing championships to focusing primarily on monetary gains.

  Noah [09:15]: "You said that the other day. You said you want the money. The belt doesn't mean as much to you? Cha and I were having a tough time kind of getting through that because everybody talks about the belt, everybody wants the belt. But to hear you say the belt doesn't mean as much like why and when did you develop that mindset where it wasn't about the belt, it's about creating a future for your family."

Training Regimen and Preparation

Chimaev elaborates on his intensive training regimen under the guidance of Coach Cal, emphasizing the physical and mental challenges he endures to stay at the top of his game.

• Intensity of Training:
  Chimaev describes his training sessions as exceptionally demanding, highlighting the use of Airdyne bikes with added resistance to build endurance.

  Noah [11:35]: "It's crazy training. That's hard work."

  Chimaev [11:35]: "It's insane hard work. I never done this kind of stuff, so first time in my life."

• Addressing Cardio Concerns:
  Addressing criticisms about his stamina, Chimaev explains that his rigorous training is specifically designed to counteract any signs of fatigue during fights.

  Chimaev [11:47]: "The middleweight division has never been better. You win that championship, you can stabilize a lot of great guys."

  Noah [12:37]: "Yeah, but nothing gonna surprise me on that. So I don't think so. Fight can be harder than that."

Views on Championship Belts and Legacy

The conversation also touches upon the cultural and personal significance of championship belts, particularly in representing one's heritage and inspiring others.

• Chimaev’s Legacy:
  While financially motivated, Chimaev acknowledges the potential impact of winning a championship belt on his community.

  Noah [10:14]: "I need to beat the guy just after that and I don't need think about the belt and make some pressure on my head."

  Chimaev [10:37]: "The first guy who is become a UC champion from Shenzhen. So they big for them and I know it's big, but I like to fight."

• Cultural Significance:
  Discussing the importance of bringing a championship back to his homeland, Chimaev reflects on the pride and inspiration it could generate.

  Chimaev [10:24]: "What would that feel like to bring that belt back to you to rush."

  Noah [10:18]: "For me, it's like not a crazy thing. I'm not that crazy big fan of."

Mindset and Focus

Chimaev emphasizes the importance of focusing solely on the fight at hand, dismissing external opinions and distractions.

• Single-Minded Focus:
  He asserts that his primary concern is his performance in the cage, leaving future prospects and accolades to unfold naturally.

  Noah [11:12]: "Just focus on my fight, bro. Just focus on my fight. Then after that, what's going to happen is up to God, bro."

• Confidence in Victory:
  Chimaev remains unwavering in his belief of victory, regardless of his opponent’s strategies or reputation.

  Chimaev [13:07]: "I'm stronger than anyone. So, yeah, fight how longer it goes, I will be happy."

  Noah [15:48]: "But I beat anyone."

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with Chimaev reaffirming his determination to succeed financially while maintaining a strong focus on his upcoming fight. His candid insights provide listeners with a deeper understanding of his motivations and the relentless drive that fuels his career in the UFC.

Chimaev [16:00]: "Any fight is exciting. I said I'm fighting for the money. For don't care who is gonna fighting me."

Noah [16:08]: "This guy right here, they got a different mentality."

Notable Quotes

• Khamzat Chimaev [05:13]: "What's your expectation for the fight this weekend? Though, because, I mean, Dricus du Plessis has been underestimated time and time again."

• Noah [09:15]: "You said that the other day. You said you want the money. The belt doesn't mean as much to you?"

• Chimaev [11:35]: "It's insane hard work. I never done this kind of stuff, so first time in my life."

• Noah [11:12]: "Just focus on my fight, bro. Just focus on my fight. Then after that, what's going to happen is up to God, bro."

• Chimaev [16:00]: "Any fight is exciting. I said I'm fighting for the money. For don't care who is gonna fighting me."

Final Thoughts

This episode provides an unfiltered look into Khamzat Chimaev's mindset as he approaches a pivotal fight in his career. Balancing financial ambitions with professional dedication, Chimaev's perspectives offer listeners a nuanced understanding of what drives a top-tier UFC fighter in today's competitive landscape.