CHICAGO – Khamzat Chimaev furthered his legacy as a champion, capturing the UFC middleweight belt with a commanding unanimous decision victory over Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 at the United Center. With all three judges scoring the bout 50-44, Chimaev’s flawless performance cemented his place at the top of the division and extended his undefeated record to 15-0.
From the opening bell, Chimaev’s game plan was clear and relentless: suffocate the champion with his elite wrestling. The Chechen-born fighter secured an immediate takedown in the first round and controlled the action on the canvas for the majority of the fight. He racked up 12 takedowns throughout the 25-minute contest, a dominant display that left Du Plessis with minimal opportunities to mount any offense.
While the Chicago crowd grew restless at the grappling-heavy affair, Chimaev shrugged off the boos with a grin, focused on his goal. “Happy, happy always. Get my money,” he said in his post-fight interview. The new champion was in complete control, out-landing Du Plessis in significant strikes and dominating the ground control time, which accounted for nearly 88% of the fight.
Despite the lopsided nature of the fight, both men showed respect for each other’s toughness. Chimaev praised Du Plessis as a “real lion” with a big heart, while the former champion acknowledged Chimaev’s superior grappling control. “The man has incredible control on top. It wasn’t about strength—it’s like he knew your next move,” Du Plessis said.
Chimaev’s victory marks the end of his long and often-interrupted journey to the middleweight title. He has been considered a future champion since his explosive UFC debut in 2020. With dominant wins over former champions Kamaru Usman and Robert Whittaker leading up to this bout, Chimaev has proven he is the most feared and unstoppable force in the middleweight division. The question now is who can possibly challenge the new king?
