Chimaev Dominates Du Plessis to Claim UFC Middleweight Title
Chechen-born wrestling powerhouse Khamzat Chimaev captured the UFC middleweight title with a dominant unanimous-decision win over Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 on Saturday night in Chicago.
All three judges scored the bout 50-44 for Chimaev, who smothered the South African with relentless grappling over five rounds. The 31-year-old set the tone in the opening minute, securing an early takedown and pinning Du Plessis in a crucifix position. Though the ground strikes did limited damage, the champion was unable to escape Chimaev's suffocating control.
The same pattern unfolded in rounds two through four, with Chimaev sticking to Du Plessis's back, threatening with chokes and knee strikes while draining his opponent's energy. Du Plessis finally found a sliver of momentum late in the fifth, but by then the result was beyond doubt.
'I never game-plan. I just came in, work like I do in the gym,' Chimaev said afterward, praising his rival. 'That guy is strong and he's the only champion who was saying my name. This guy has real heart, a real lion, a real African lion.'
Du Plessis, who lost his belt with the defeat, showed grace in acknowledging Chimaev's performance. 'He deserves this 100 percent and he was the better man tonight. I'll be back. I'll come and get my belt back, but for now it's his and he deserves it.'
The win crowns Chimaev as the new face of the UFC's 185-pound division, with Du Plessis vowing to mount a return.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Tribune
13 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
Clutch Maxwell leads Australia to T20 series win over South Africa
Glenn Maxwell took a brilliant catch before smashing a half-century under pressure to help Australia overcome a dogged South Africa by two wickets and seal the three-match Twenty20 series in Cairns on Saturday. In response to South Africa's 172-7, Australia were in trouble at 122-6 in the 14th over before Maxwell stepped up with an unbeaten 62 off 36 balls. There was a late twist when South Africa quick Corbin Bosch dismissed Ben Dwarshuis and Nathan Ellis with consecutive deliveries. But Maxwell crunched a boundary on the penultimate ball of the match before celebrating with gusto. Hot favourites Australia won the first match but were stunned by a 52-run defeat in game two before moving to Cairns in northern Queensland, which hosted its first T20 international. "It was a little nerve-racking," Maxwell said. "I tried to stay on strike as much as I could and cash in on anything loose." Australia captain Mitchell Marsh elected to field in helpful conditions for seam bowlers, a contrast to the batting-friendly surfaces used in the opening two games in Darwin. Veteran quick Josh Hazlewood rebounded from an errant performance in game two by dismissing captain Aiden Markram for one in the first over. Lhuan-dre Pretorius hit a quick-fire 24 before falling to Ellis, bringing to the crease Dewald Brevis who smashed a South African T20 record of 125 not out in game two. He crunched his sixth delivery onto the roof before a diving Maxwell dropped a tough one-handed chance at long-on. Brevis motored to his half-century off 22 balls. Maxwell, a brilliant fielder, redeemed himself in the 12th over with a superb diving catch in the outfield to halt Brevis' charge on 53. South Africa's innings ran out of steam and their total appeared well short when Marsh dominated a 66-run opening partnership with Travis Head. But South Africa hit back with the quick wickets of Head (19) and Josh Inglis for a first ball duck. Marsh made 54 before holing out to 19-year-old quick Kwena Maphaka, who later in the 11th over dismissed Cameron Green (nine).
Daily Tribune
14 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
Chimaev Dominates Du Plessis to Claim UFC Middleweight Title
TDT | Manama Chechen-born wrestling powerhouse Khamzat Chimaev captured the UFC middleweight title with a dominant unanimous-decision win over Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 on Saturday night in Chicago. All three judges scored the bout 50-44 for Chimaev, who smothered the South African with relentless grappling over five rounds. The 31-year-old set the tone in the opening minute, securing an early takedown and pinning Du Plessis in a crucifix position. Though the ground strikes did limited damage, the champion was unable to escape Chimaev's suffocating control. The same pattern unfolded in rounds two through four, with Chimaev sticking to Du Plessis's back, threatening with chokes and knee strikes while draining his opponent's energy. Du Plessis finally found a sliver of momentum late in the fifth, but by then the result was beyond doubt. 'I never game-plan. I just came in, work like I do in the gym,' Chimaev said afterward, praising his rival. 'That guy is strong and he's the only champion who was saying my name. This guy has real heart, a real lion, a real African lion.' Du Plessis, who lost his belt with the defeat, showed grace in acknowledging Chimaev's performance. 'He deserves this 100 percent and he was the better man tonight. I'll be back. I'll come and get my belt back, but for now it's his and he deserves it.' The win crowns Chimaev as the new face of the UFC's 185-pound division, with Du Plessis vowing to mount a return.
Daily Tribune
14 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain's Perfect Run Meets Algeria's Last Stand
TDT | Manama Unbeaten Bahrain face Algeria for the U16 Arab Basketball Championship gold medal Bahrain topped the six-team table with a spotless 5-0 record, outscoring opponents by 113 points. Their campaign featured four routs – 90-58 over Qatar, 80-54 against Algeria, 81-57 versus Kuwait, and 93-70 against Tunisia – before a 80-72 win over hosts Egypt sealed first place. They head into tonight's decider as the clear form team. Algerian Resistance Algeria finished second at 4-1, their only stumble coming against Bahrain. They opened with a 76-42 thrashing of Kuwait and beat Qatar 57-35, then scraped past Tunisia 67-61. A dramatic 76-74 win over Egypt showed their resilience under pressure, and they'll need every ounce of that fight to reverse fortunes in the final. Stars of the Show For Bahrain, Somto Patrick Onoduenyi has been the tournament's standout, leading in efficiency (177), rebounds (92), and steals (23), while scoring 95 points. Hassan Showefi has chipped in 84 points and 62 boards, while Hassan Fouad tops the three-point charts with 12. Skipper Aly Hussien has provided leadership with 19 assists and seven triples. Algeria lean on Abdelkarim Yahiaoui (70 points, 64 rebounds, 113 efficiency) and sharpshooter Redouane Bertouche (62 points, eight threes). Rim protector Anes Hadjoudj adds 47 rebounds and 15 blocks. One More Step Bahrain arrive chasing back-to-back regional titles, having already won last month's FIBA U16 Asia Cup GBA Qualifiers. Algeria, though, see redemption on the line. Having been humbled by Bahrain once, they'll need to tighten their defense and ride Yahiaoui's inside presence to have a chance.
