In a grappling masterclass at UFC 319 in Chicago, Khamzat Chimaev dethroned Dricus du Plessis, capturing the UFC Middleweight Championship in a dominant five-round performance that left fans and pundits in awe—and some booing the lack of fireworks.
Event Overview
- Date & Venue: Held on August 16, 2025, at the United Center in Chicago—marking UFC’s return to the city after six years.
- Main Event: Khamzat Chimaev vs. Dricus du Plessis for the Middleweight title.
- Head‑lining Appeal: A clash between the undefeated contender and the reigning champion.
Fight Breakdown: Who Won & How?
Winner: Khamzat Chimaev, by unanimous decision (50‑44 on all judges’ scorecards).
Dominance on Display:
- Takedowns: 12 successful takedowns out of 17 attempts, consistently brought du Plessis to the mat early each round.
- Strikes: A staggering 529 total strikes landed by Chimaev vs just 45 by du Plessis.
- Time Controlled: Over 21 minutes of ground control, setting middleweight division records.
Judges & Dana White’s View:
- Official scores: 50‑44 across the board.
- Dana White’s personal scorecard: 50‑41, grading four rounds as 10‑8.
Post-Fight Highlights & Reactions
- Chimaev’s Take: Proud of his conditioning, he quashed claims of being a one-round phenom and even hinted at chasing multi-division glory or a quick return at UFC 321.
- Du Plessis’s Resilience: Despite losing, he remained unbroken—offering respect to Chimaev’s control and already plotting his comeback.
- Fan Reaction: A section of the crowd booed—criticizing Chimaev’s grappling-heavy style as lacking excitement.
- Support from Loved Ones: Du Plessis received heartwarming support from his fiancée, Vasti Spiller, who called him my world.
UFC 319 Full Fight Card Highlights
- Lerone Murphy achieved a sensational first-round spinning elbow KO over Aaron Pico, enhancing his featherweight title prospects.
- Carlos Prates also delivered a spinning elbow knockout against Geoff Neal to earn a bonus and future bout.
- Michael Page beat Jared Cannonier by unanimous decision.
- Timothy Elliott returned with a submission win over Kai Asakura in the flyweight division.
Summary
| Topic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Result | Khamzat Chimaev wins via unanimous decision (50‑44) |
| Style | Dominant grappling, record strikes, ground control |
| Aftermath | Criticism from fans, praise for both fighters, title shifting |
| Highlights | Knockout finishes in co‑main card, rising contenders spotlighte |