Khamzat Chimaev delivered a masterful performance defeated defending champion Dricus du Plessis by unanimous decision (50‑44 across all judges) to become the new UFC Middleweight Champion
From the opening bell, Chimaev transformed the Octagon into what spectators likened to a “wrestling clinic.” He executed early takedowns in every round, amassing 12 successful takedowns out of 17 attempts and controlling over 21 minutes of the 25-minute bout. His ground dominance was complemented by staggering striking stats—529 total strikes landed, the most ever recorded in a UFC fight, compared to Du Plessis’s mere 45 strikes.
Death, taxes and Khamzat Chimaev taking you down. pic.twitter.com/OUbY4d2zVX
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) August 17, 2025
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Du Plessis, for his part, had spent less than five minutes in a bottom position across his entire UFC career—until this match, where he endured an entire round in disadvantage. Although Du Plessis threatened a guillotine choke and rallied briefly in the fifth round he was no match for Chimaev as he quickly regained control ultimately leaving no doubt as to the outcome.
AND NEW‼️
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 17, 2025
KHAMZAT CHIMAEV DOMINATES DDP AND IS THE NEW UNDISPUTED MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION 😤 #UFC319 pic.twitter.com/6q2O72p48A
Despite being booed by the Chicago audience—who appeared frustrated by the grinding, grappling-heavy approach—Chimaev remained unfazed and proudly lifted the championship belt. He also earned a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus, among three others awarded that evening .
Lerone Murphy and Carlos Prates each scored spinning back elbow knockouts in back-to-back first-round finishes, both earning Performance of the Night bonuses
In the co-main event, Michael Page defeated Jared Cannonier by unanimous decision, showcasing tactical striking and showmanship.
Tim Elliott submitted Kai Asakura with a mounted guillotine in the second round.
Additional winners on the undercard included Michal Oleksiejczuk, Loopy Godinez, Alexander Hernandez, Drakkar Klose, Joseph Morales, and Baisangur Susurkaev
Chimaev’s performance at UFC 319 cements his position atop the middleweight division and showcases his wrestling-first strategy as lethal at the highest level.
