Khamzat Chimaev delivered on his promise (and did even more). In the main event of UFC 319, held this Saturday (16), in Chicago (USA), the Chechen not only defeated Dricus du Plessis : he crushed the then middleweight champion (up to 83,9 kg) and achieved one of the most dominant performances in the sport's recent history. The victory came by unanimous decision after five rounds of pure control and pressure, with records broken and a clear warning to the division: "Borz" has arrived to reign.
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From the start, the tone of the fight was set bluntly. Chimaev went for the takedown within five seconds, spending most of the round on top in the crucifix position, relentlessly striking Du Plessis. The South African, who was coming off wins over Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland , couldn't find any significant opportunity to react.
The same pattern repeated itself in the following rounds. In the second round, after brief standing exchanges, Chimaev easily took his opponent to the ground and controlled every move. Submission attempts, strikes from above, and territorial dominance made the fight almost one-sided. In the third, he accelerated the pace even further, applying more takedowns, quick transitions, and punishing him on the ground with vicious elbows. At one point, Du Plessis seemed to be barely surviving.
Even when the referee decided to return the fighters to their feet, the situation remained unchanged. Chimaev exchanged briefly and then quickly took the fighter down again, always with ease. In the fifth and final round, Dricus had a rare moment of attack, managing to take the Chechen's back and attempting a rear-naked choke in the final seconds, but the attempt was well defended.
But if you didn't see the fight, check out the highlights of the fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319.
VIDEO: Watch the highlights of Khamzat Chimaev's victory over Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319
Coming for gold
[ #UFC319 | @KChimaev ] pic.twitter.com/uOgvSoNqU6
— UFC (@ufc) August 17, 2025
Doing it for his legacy
[ #UFC319 | @DricusDuPlessis ] pic.twitter.com/JEbqL8tog4
— UFC (@ufc) August 17, 2025
HERE WE GO #UFC319
Dricus Du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev … who did you get?! pic.twitter.com/Zmikh4rlCn
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) August 17, 2025
— clips (@t8confidentiaI) August 17, 2025
This move was the peak DDP move in the fight #UFC319
(via @ufc ) pic.twitter.com/r7T92iOlpW
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) August 17, 2025
— clips (@t8confidentiaI) August 17, 2025
Absolutely DOMINANT performance from @KChimaev tonight
He's leaving #UFC319 with middleweight gold! pic.twitter.com/ia1KW5sEAx
— UFC (@ufc) August 17, 2025
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