Khamzat Chimaev wins middleweight belt
Khamzat Chimaev made a statement in the UFC by claiming the middleweight belt after a dominant performance against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 in Chicago. Chimaev, who remains undefeated at 15-0, showcased his grappling skills and ground control throughout the fight.
In the opening seconds of the first round, Chimaev wasted no time in securing a takedown on Du Plessis, keeping him on his back for most of the round. Despite the control by Chimaev, Du Plessis managed to avoid significant damage in the initial round.
As the fight progressed, Chimaev continued to assert his dominance with repeated takedowns in the second and third rounds. In the third round, Chimaev landed a series of blows on Du Plessis while maintaining control on the ground. The fourth round saw Chimaev sticking to his ground game, further wearing down his opponent.
Du Plessis, to his credit, showed resilience and attempted a late comeback in the fifth round with a takedown and a guillotine choke, but it was not enough to turn the tide in his favor. The former champ struggled to keep up with Chimaev’s relentless attack throughout the fight.
UFC president Dana White commended Chimaev for his performance, highlighting the frustration and dominance Chimaev displayed on the ground. The judges scored the fight unanimously in favor of Chimaev with a score of 50-44.
Du Plessis acknowledged Chimaev’s superiority in the fight, admitting that he was outclassed on the night. Despite the loss, Du Plessis vowed to bounce back stronger in future fights.
In addition to the main event, the UFC 319 card featured impressive performances, including Lerone Murphy’s spinning elbow finish on Aaron Pico in the co-main event. Carlos Prates also delivered a stunning first-round knockout with a spinning elbow on Geoff Neal.
Michael Page secured a victory over Jared Cannonier with a combination in the middleweight division, while Timothy Elliott surprised Kai Askura with a guillotine finish in the flyweight division.
The event marked the return of UFC to Chicago after six years, setting a record for the highest-grossing event at the United Center. With Chimaev’s dominant win and standout performances from other fighters on the card, UFC 319 proved to be a memorable night for MMA fans.
