At UFC 319 in Chicago last weekend, Khamzat Chimaev secured a decisive victory against Dricus du Plessis to claim the UFC middleweight championship, marking a significant milestone in his career. This win propelled Chimaev into the UFC top five rankings, highlighting his emergence as a dominant force in the middleweight division despite a mixed reaction from the crowd.
Khamzat Chimaev’s Rise to the Middleweight Crown
Since his UFC debut in 2020, Khamzat Chimaev has captivated fans with a combination of explosive performances and periods of inactivity due to injury and illness. Chimaev’s recent performance at UFC 319 demonstrated his full potential, showcasing his ability to control high-level opponents over five grueling rounds. His takedowns and ground control left Dricus du Plessis, who entered the bout undefeated in nine UFC fights, unable to counter effectively.
Chimaev’s dominance was clear, as he repeatedly employed takedowns and maintained top control, placing du Plessis in a vulnerable crucifix position multiple times. This strategy exposed chinks in du Plessis’ defense and highlighted Chimaev’s mastery of grappling tactics. Despite this methodical approach, Chimaev did not aggressively pursue a finish, which drew some criticism from fans and commentators labeling the fight as less entertaining.
However, Chimaev’s calculated style underscored his intent to send a message to the middleweight division: rivals lacking in grappling proficiency risk suffering a similar dismantling. This approach contrasts with his 2022 breakthrough victory over Gilbert Burns, where he fought aggressively in a stand-up brawl, proving he can adapt to a more striking-heavy contest when necessary. His adaptability and strategic control suggest that the entertainment level in his future fights will depend significantly on the skills and game plan of his opponents.
Technical Mastery and Stamina Highlight Chimaev’s Championship Performance
One of the most impressive aspects of Chimaev’s UFC 319 performance was his stamina, as he consistently executed takedowns without showing signs of fatigue across all five rounds. Over the course of the fight, Chimaev achieved twelve takedowns and controlled the action on the ground for twenty-one out of twenty-five minutes. Even a late rally by du Plessis in the final minute, boosted by referee Marc Goddard’s two standups for inactivity, failed to alter the unanimous decision outcome. These referee interventions were controversial and sparked debate among fans and analysts.
Chimaev’s endurance and technical precision demonstrate his serious commitment to training and conditioning, disproving earlier doubts about his ability to maintain pace in championship-length bouts. This performance cements his status as a formidable middleweight champion, capable of imposing his will regardless of the fight’s length or intensity.
Prospects for Future Middleweight Title Defenses
The middleweight division’s depth promises challenging future matchups for Chimaev, whose next title defense might come against the victor of an upcoming September bout between Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho. Both contenders possess skill sets that could potentially challenge Chimaev’s grappling dominance, offering the possibility of a more dynamic fight and providing the new champion a chance to demonstrate versatility.
Chimaev’s assertive and somewhat villainous persona has quickly made him one of the UFC’s most prominent rising stars. Although portions of the Chicago crowd expressed displeasure with the slow pace during his title-winning fight, this character adds to the tension and excitement surrounding his run in the division. Furthermore, during fight week, Chimaev expressed ambitions to become a three-division UFC champion, a goal that positions him uniquely within the sport’s landscape, although he will likely focus on defending his middleweight crown first given the current contest depth.
Men’s Pound-for-Pound Rankings Reveal Shifts in UFC Hierarchy
The latest men’s pound-for-pound rankings reflect the shifting competitive landscape across weight classes following recent UFC events. Khamzat Chimaev’s leap to number four on the list, climbing from tenth, underscores the significance of his middleweight title win and his potential as a future UFC star.
Ilia Topuria maintains the top spot after securing the lightweight title at UFC 317 by knocking out Charles Oliveira. At 18-0, Topuria’s explosive skill set marks him as a rising face of the organization with aspirations rivaling that of Conor McGregor’s ascent.
Second-ranked Islam Makhachev, who vacated his lightweight title, is preparing to challenge new welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena this fall, aiming to match Anderson Silva’s UFC record of sixteen consecutive wins. Meanwhile, bantamweight champ Merab Dvalishvili continues to impress with his relentless pace and improving striking, returning soon for a fight against Cory Sandhagen.
Chimaev’s elevation to fourth place follows a methodical dismantling of Dricus du Plessis, who drops to tenth after surrendering his middleweight title. At fifteen wins without a loss, Chimaev’s undefeated streak positions him as a new force in the UFC’s deep middleweight pool, signaling the start of a notable era at 185 pounds.
Five-time flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja sits fifth, extending his legacy with another title defense and preparing for a high-profile fight against rising contender Joshua Van. Other champions rounding out the top ten include featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski, light heavyweight titleholders Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira, and UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena.
Overview of Key Men’s Pound-for-Pound Fighters
1. Ilia Topuria (Lightweight champion)
An undefeated powerhouse with dynamic boxing skills, Topuria’s knockout of Charles Oliveira to claim the lightweight title made history for his division and raised expectations for his future stardom.
2. Islam Makhachev (Welterweight)
Having vacated his lightweight crown, Makhachev aims to secure titles in multiple weight classes, with a pivotal welterweight bout slated for later this year.
3. Merab Dvalishvili (Bantamweight champion)
Despite ongoing injury challenges, Dvalishvili’s unyielding cardio and submission skill have solidified his hold on the bantamweight division as he prepares for upcoming fights.
4. Khamzat Chimaev (Middleweight champion)
Consistent inactivity has slowed his rise, but Chimaev’s UFC 319 triumph over du Plessis showcased his full capabilities, highlighting a new chapter in the middleweight division.
5. Alexandre Pantoja (Flyweight champion)
An experienced veteran, Pantoja’s submission victories sustain his reign as the division’s most successful flyweight fighter, with more significant challenges on the horizon.
6. Alexander Volkanovski (Featherweight champion)
After overcoming recent setbacks, Volkanovski reclaimed the featherweight belt, proving veteran skill can outmatch youth and raw power.
7. Magomed Ankalaev (Light heavyweight champion)
The Dagestan native’s well-rounded game delivered a convincing victory over Alex Pereira, with a highly anticipated rematch booked for UFC 320.
8. Alex Pereira (Light heavyweight)
Following the loss of his 205-pound title, Pereira prepares for a rematch to regain his place atop the division.
9. Jack Della Maddalena (Welterweight champion)
This Australian contender’s strong boxing and takedown defense crowned him welterweight champ, with an expected defense against Makhachev upcoming.
10. Dricus du Plessis (Middleweight)
After a dominant run, du Plessis faced a harsh setback in losing his title to Chimaev, showing the harsh realities of elite-level competition at 185 pounds.
Women’s Pound-for-Pound Rankings Highlight UFC’s Female Elite
The women’s rankings illustrate several dominant champions continuing to cement their legacies. Valentina Shevchenko retains the top spot at flyweight following a strategic five-round victory over Manon Fiorot. Shevchenko’s ten UFC title wins place her among the sport’s all-time greats, with a possible superfight against strawweight champ Zhang Weili on the horizon.
Zhang Weili sustains her undefeated UFC run with a commanding performance against Tatiana Suarez, hinting at aspirations to move up to bantamweight and join the ranks of multiple-division champions. Kayla Harrison recently captured the bantamweight title with a decisive victory, setting up an anticipated bout with former champion Amanda Nunes.
Manon Fiorot and Natalia Silva round out the top five, each building momentum within the flyweight division through strong performances and title contention positioning.
Significance of Chimaev’s Title and UFC Landscape Moving Forward
Khamzat Chimaev’s ascent into the UFC top five middleweights signals a turning point for the division, reinvigorating interest and setting the stage for a competitive, dynamic era at 185 pounds. His blend of technical grappling, stamina, and strategic fight management distinguishes him as a champion capable of controlling elite competition.
With a deep pool of contenders such as Reinder de Ridder, Alexander Hernandez, and others waiting in the wings, Chimaev’s future matchups promise intense battles that will challenge his versatility and entertainment value in the octagon. The upcoming defenses and potential cross-division ambitions also raise exciting possibilities for the UFC’s evolving championship landscape.
Chimaev’s performance serves as a signal to all contenders that a new standard of grappling dominance and strategic pacing now defines the middleweight division, and his ongoing career will be closely followed as he pushes toward greater UFC history.