Khamzat Chimaev, undefeated in his professional MMA career, delivered a standout victory by defeating former <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/mma/ufc/”>UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 308. The fight took place in Abu Dhabi, where Chimaev quickly took Whittaker down in the first round and secured a submission with a damaging face crank that visibly injured Whittaker’s jaw.
This victory improved Chimaev’s record to 14-0 and earned him a shot at the UFC middleweight title. He is now scheduled to fight current middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis as the main event of UFC 319 in Chicago, Illinois.
Background on UFC 308 and the Build-Up to the Fight
Following a loss to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 290, Robert Whittaker bounced back by defeating Paulo Costa before being matched with Khamzat Chimaev for an event in Saudi Arabia. However, Chimaev withdrew due to illness, leading Whittaker to face replacement Ikram Aliskerov, whom he defeated in the first round. This set the stage for the rescheduled showdown at UFC 308.
Fans eagerly anticipated how Chimaev would perform in the championship rounds against a skilled opponent like Whittaker. Despite expectations of a prolonged contest, Chimaev swiftly took control, forcing Whittaker to tap out early to a submission that caused substantial facial damage.
Both Fighters Enter UFC 319 Undefeated in the Octagon
The speed of Whittaker’s submission surprised many observers, as Chimaev’s hold was not a textbook rear naked choke but a brutal face crank that inflicted serious damage. The aftermath revealed the severity of Whittaker’s jaw injury, emphasizing the impact of Chimaev’s dominant performance.
This win was especially important for Chimaev following a closely contested majority decision victory over former UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman at UFC 294, marking his continued rise within the division. Since his UFC debut in 2020, Chimaev has amassed eight wins, finishing six opponents decisively inside the Octagon.
Dricus du Plessis, also undefeated since his 2020 UFC debut, currently holds the middleweight title, having successfully defended it twice in 2024. At UFC 319, du Plessis will attempt to defend the belt for a third time, while Chimaev aims to secure his first career loss and claim the championship.
Upcoming Middleweight Title Clash and MMA Developments
The fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Dricus du Plessis carries significant weight in the UFC middleweight division, as it not only decides the champion but also tests the durability of two undefeated fighters. UFC 319 in Chicago promises to be a pivotal event for both athletes and fans alike.
Other recent news in MMA includes a UFC fighter hinting at Conor McGregor’s next opponent, Alex Pereira’s scheduled middleweight bout at UFC 320, Israel Adesanya naming possible future opponents, and announcements of major fights for an Australia Fight Night event.
With Chimaev’s relentless streak and du Plessis’ solid defenses, the upcoming title fight is set to have a major impact on the middleweight landscape, shaping the future contenders and champions within UFC’s competitive ranks.
“Borz only competed once last year at UFC 308, where he brought former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker to the mat in the first round and forced him to tap to a brutal face crank that caused significant damage to Whittaker’s jaw.”
—Drew, MMA Writer
“The speed with which Whittaker tapped caught a number of viewers off guard given that Chimaev hadn’t gotten his arm under the chin for a proper rear naked choke, but in the aftermath of the event ‘The Reaper’ revealed the extent of the damage that he’d sustained.”
—Drew, MMA Writer