Khamzat Chimaev defeats Dricus Du Plessis to win UFC middleweight title at UFC 319
captured the
UFC middleweight championship
Saturday night, August 16, defeating defending champion
Dricus Du Plessis
by unanimous decision in a dominant performance at the United Center in Chicago.
The 31-year-old Russian controlled the fight with superior wrestling, recording more than 10 takedowns throughout the five-round contest. Chimaev spent the majority of the bout in top position, delivering knees and punches to Du Plessis while neutralizing the South African's striking ability.
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All three judges scored the fight 50-44 in favor of Chimaev, reflecting his complete dominance across all five rounds. The victory improved Chimaev's professional record to 15-0, maintaining his undefeated status while claiming his first UFC championship.
Chimaev's wrestling dominance overwhelms champion
Chimaev's wrestling proved the decisive factor throughout the championship bout. The Chechen-born fighter consistently took Du Plessis to the ground, utilizing a crucifix position to control his opponent while landing ground strikes.
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Du Plessis, whose record dropped to 23-3 with the loss, failed to defend his
UFC middleweight title
for the first time after two successful defenses. The 31-year-old South African struggled to establish his striking game against Chimaev's relentless takedown pressure.
The only moment of danger for Chimaev occurred in the fifth round when Du Plessis attempted a guillotine choke submission. However, the new champion quickly escaped the hold and regained control to close out the victory.
Round-by-round breakdown shows complete control
From the opening round, Chimaev established his gameplan with an immediate takedown. The Russian maintained top control throughout most of round one, landing left-hand strikes while Du Plessis struggled to create space.
Round two followed a similar pattern, with Chimaev securing another quick takedown and controlling Du Plessis against the fence. The challenger delivered knees to Du Plessis's body while the Chicago crowd chanted his name.
By the third round, the punishment became more visible as Du Plessis's face showed signs of damage from Chimaev's ground strikes. The Russian continued his wrestling assault, maintaining the crucifix position to land elbows and punches.
Round four saw Chimaev's takedown success rate reach 7-for-8 attempts, completely neutralizing Du Plessis's offensive capabilities. The former champion showed resilience but could not escape Chimaev's grappling control.
The final round provided Du Plessis's best moments, including the guillotine attempt and a late reversal that put him on top with 30 seconds remaining. However, the damage was already done on the scorecards.
New era begins in UFC middleweight division
Chimaev's victory marks a significant shift in the UFC middleweight division. The Russian fighter's undefeated record and dominant wrestling style establish him as a formidable champion moving forward.
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Du Plessis entered the fight looking to make his third successful title defense but was unable to solve Chimaev's grappling-heavy approach. The loss represents the first defeat for Du Plessis since 2018.
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