UFC 319 in Chicago delivered a night of drama, but the main event turned into a showcase of pure dominance. Khamzat Chimaev, long considered one of the UFC’s most dangerous fighters, lived up to the hype by dismantling former champion Dricus du Plessis to claim the middleweight title.
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| UFC 319 |
The fight was not close. Judges scored the bout 50-44 across the board, reflecting Chimaev’s complete control over five rounds. It was a historic performance in terms of wrestling and ground dominance, even though it lacked the kind of highlight-reel finish fans often hope for.
A Ground Game Masterclass
It took just seven seconds for Chimaev to drag du Plessis to the canvas. From that moment forward, the fight followed one script: relentless takedowns and suffocating ground control. Chimaev landed 12 of his 17 takedown attempts and controlled du Plessis for 21 minutes and 40 seconds of the 25-minute bout.
To put that into perspective, du Plessis had only spent a total of 4 minutes and 56 seconds on the bottom throughout his entire five-year UFC career before this fight. On Saturday night, he nearly matched that number in the first round alone.
By the end, Chimaev outlanded du Plessis 529 to 45 in total strikes. While most of those strikes were not fight-ending blows, the sheer volume told the story of just how one-sided the contest was.
Du Plessis Fights Back Late
The best moment for du Plessis came in the fifth round, when he finally found some space on his feet and pressured Chimaev for a brief period. He even managed to take Chimaev’s back for a few seconds, sparking hope of a comeback.
After the fight, du Plessis praised Chimaev’s skill, describing the experience as feeling like being trapped under a “blanket.” He admitted that it wasn’t raw power that overwhelmed him, but rather Chimaev’s ability to predict and counter every move.
The Crowd Reacts
Despite the dominant performance, the Chicago crowd was not impressed. Many fans booed during Chimaev’s post-fight interview, frustrated by the wrestling-heavy style of the fight. Chimaev, however, didn’t seem to care. With the belt around his waist, he made it clear he’s ready to rule the division.
Other UFC 319 Highlights
The card also delivered several spectacular moments outside of the main event. Lerone Murphy stunned the arena with a first-round spinning back elbow knockout against Aaron Pico, earning a $50,000 performance bonus. Carlos Prates scored an almost identical spinning back elbow finish over Geoff Neal at the very end of Round 1, also taking home a bonus.
Elsewhere, Michael Page earned a decision win over Jared Cannonier, while Tim Elliott secured a second-round guillotine choke against Kai Asakura.
The prelims and early fights featured impressive performances as well, with fighters like Loopy Godinez, Drakkar Klose, and Joseph Morales all earning victories.
What’s Next?
With UFC gold now around his waist, Khamzat Chimaev has cemented himself as the man to beat in the middleweight division. His wrestling-heavy dominance may not win over every fan, but it has certainly sent a clear message: the division now belongs to him.
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