Chimaev defeats Du Plessis to win UFC title
By taking all three cards by 50-44 scores, the 31-year-old Russian remained unbeaten at 15-0 despite what was a largely supportive sold-out United Center crowd turning to jeers as the fight went on.
'I am happy, always,' Chimaev said post-fight. 'I never have a game plan, just go in and work like I do in the gym. That guy [Du Plessis] is strong. I couldn't finish. I respect that guy. He is the only champion that would say my name. This guy has big heart.'
Chimaev also landed 529 strikes in the match, breaking Max Holloway's UFC record of 447 set in 2021, according to ESPN. His plus-484 striking differential also set a record, breaking Holloway's mark of plus-312 in that same 2021 match against Calvin Klatter.
The South African Du Plessis (23-3) was on the canvas within the match's first 10 seconds and the defending champion was on the defensive throughout the match.
'All credit to Khamzat,' Du Plessis, 31, said after the fight. 'He beat me fair and square.'
With a crowded middleweight title-contender pool in front of him, Chimaev said he was spending at least one night enjoying his breakthrough win.
'I'm going to go back to the hotel, joke with my friends and enjoy this victory,' Chimaev said.
Chimaev, who joined the UFC in 2020 and has previously defeated former champions Kamaru Usman and Robert Whittaker, was rarely threatened against Du Plessis, and despite being denied a finish by the South African he relentlessly took down the defending champion in the opening minute of every round.
He converted 12 of 17 takedown attempts and spent 84% of the 25-minute fight in control of Du Plessis, UFC match data show.
Du Plessis's only moment to stage a come-from-behind victory came in the final round when he spun his way on top of his tiring opponent and executed a guillotine.
However, his attempt was short lived as, Chimaev fought his way out and again regain control of the champion until the final bell.
'The man has incredible control on top,' Du Plessis said. 'It wasn't a matter of strength; it wasn't physical; it was almost like he knew what your next move was. I could almost taste that victory [with the guillotine choke hold], but he beat me fair and square. He was the better man tonight. I'll be coming to get my belt back, but for now, it's his. He deserves it.'
The rest of the main card saw Lerone Murphy and Carlos Prates deliver spinning back elbow knockouts of Aaron Pico and Geoff Neal, respectively. England's Murphy (17-0-1) stayed unbeaten in the featherweight division with his win at 3:21 of the first round. Prates, who turns 32 on Sunday, ended his fight with one second remaining in the opening round of their bout in the 170-pound weight class.
Middleweight Michael Page's two knockdowns were enough to secure a unanimous decision win over Jared Cannonier, and flyweight Tim Elliott secured a guillotine choke submission win over Kai Asakura at 4:39 of Round 2. With inputs from Reuters.
UFC 319 results:
Lerone Murphy def. Aaron Pico
Carlos Prates def. Geoff Neal
Michael Page def. Jared Cannonier
Tim Elliott def. Kai Asakura
Baisangur Susurkaev def. Eric Nolan
Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Gerald Meerschaert
Loopy Godinez def. Jessica Andrade
Alexander Hernandez def. Chase Hooper
Darkkar Klose def. Edson Barboza
Karine Silva def. Dione Barbosa
Joseph Morales def. Alibi Idiris
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