On Saturday night at the United Center in Chicago, Khamzat Chimaev faced Dricus du Plessis in the main event of UFC 319, marking a critical middleweight title defense for du Plessis. The bout attracted considerable attention as du Plessis aimed to hand Chimaev the first loss of his professional career.
Fighters’ Background and Recent Performances
Earlier this year at UFC 312, du Plessis silenced his doubters by winning a unanimous decision over former champion Sean Strickland in their rematch, fueling confidence ahead of this fight. Meanwhile, Chimaev entered the octagon coming off a dominant victory at UFC 308, where he submitted Robert Whittaker in the first round with a face crank, resulting in Whittaker suffering a broken jaw.
Fight Progression and Key Moments
From the opening bell, Chimaev took control by immediately securing a takedown, spending much of the first round on top of du Plessis. The second round mirrored the first, with another takedown for Chimaev, but du Plessis showed his toughness by enduring the pressure. In the fourth round, referee Marc Goddard separated the fighters to restart action at center stage after Chimaev was deemed to have excessive control from the top.
Near the fight’s conclusion, du Plessis nearly locked in a rear-naked choke with only 25 seconds remaining, yet Chimaev managed to escape and maintain his dominance throughout the five rounds.
Final Decision and Fight Statistics
After five rounds, all three judges scored the contest decisively in favor of Chimaev, each awarding him a 50-44 unanimous decision victory. The Chechen-born fighter improved his undefeated streak to 15-0, landing an overwhelming 529 significant strikes compared to du Plessis’ 45.
What the Victory Means for Chimaev and the Middleweight Division
This win reinforces Chimaev’s position as a dominant force within the UFC middleweight ranks and raises expectations for his future title opportunities. Du Plessis, despite the loss, demonstrated resilience and dangerous submission attempts that suggest continued threat in upcoming bouts. UFC fans can look forward to how Chimaev’s unbeaten run influences his next challengers and the middleweight division’s landscape.