On August 16, 2025, Khamzat Chimaev put on a dominant performance at UFC 319 in Chicago, defeating Dricus du Plessis by unanimous decision with a score of 50-44 to claim the UFC middleweight championship, per ESPN.
Chimaev’s relentless wrestling overwhelmed du Plessis, landing 529 strikes compared to du Plessis’s 45, and he controlled the ground for over 21 minutes.
Chimaev secured 12 of 17 takedown attempts, dominating from the opening round. Du Plessis, previously rarely in a bottom position, spent nearly a full round there in the first five minutes, managing only brief offence in the fifth. Despite crowd boos for the wrestling-heavy style, Chimaev’s control was undeniable, cementing his divisional dominance, per MMA Fighting.
Absolutely DOMINANT performance from @KChimaev tonight 👏
He's leaving #UFC319 with middleweight gold! pic.twitter.com/ia1KW5sEAx
— UFC (@ufc) August 17, 2025The event featured thrilling moments: Carlos Prates and Lerone Murphy delivered first-round knockouts with spinning back elbows against Geoff Neal and Aaron Pico, respectively. Michael Page won a decision over Jared Cannonier, and Tim Elliott submitted Kai Asakara.
Chimaev’s victory signals his potential to dominate the middleweight division long-term, while du Plessis’ loss exposed gaps in his grappling defence. The Chicago crowd’s reaction highlights the divide in fan preferences, but Chimaev’s performance sets the stage for high-profile title defences, possibly against rising contenders.
Chimaev’s UFC 319 triumph reshapes the middleweight landscape, boosting his star power and UFC’s global appeal. The event’s knockouts and title change could drive viewership trends.
