On the night of August 17, history was made inside the UFC octagon. Khamzat Chimaev, one of the most talked-about fighters of our time, captured his first championship belt in the middleweight division, steamrolling over reigning champion Dricus Du Plessis. UFC 319 gave fans plenty of thrilling moments, but the main event turned into a textbook display of dominance at the highest level.
Five Rounds of Pressure and Total Control
From the very start, Chimaev made it clear: this was his night. Just 15 seconds into the first round, he took his opponent down and confidently established top position. Crucifix, side control, constant submission attempts — the Chechen fighter showcased his entire arsenal. Du Plessis poured tremendous effort into escaping the holds, but time and again he found himself on his back.
Round after round, Chimaev demonstrated complete superiority. In the second and third rounds, he repeatedly secured the crucifix position, while his opponent could do nothing but defend. In the third, his dominance was so overwhelming that the judges unanimously scored it 10-8. In the fourth and fifth rounds, Chimaev stuck to the same formula: control, pressure, and energy conservation. Du Plessis’ guillotine attempt was quickly countered, allowing Chimaev to reclaim top position.
Fight Outcome: A New Era in Middleweight
When the final bell rang, there was no doubt — the judges all scored it 50-44 in favor of Chimaev. This marked Khamzat’s ninth UFC victory, and he remains undefeated. For Du Plessis, it was the first loss of his UFC career, highlighting the scale of the new champion’s achievement. Now fans are left with one burning question: who can stop Chimaev in this form?
Other Results of UFC 319
While the title fight stole the spotlight, the card was packed with other spectacular moments:
- Lerone Murphy delivered a spinning elbow knockout against UFC debutant Aaron Pico in the first round. It was the Brit’s ninth consecutive victory.
- Carlos Prates followed suit by knocking out Geoff Neal. This was his fifth win in his last six bouts.
- Michael Page continued his rise in the UFC, defeating Jared Cannonier via unanimous decision, securing his third win in his last four fights.
- Kai Asakura, former Rizin champion, suffered another defeat — this time against Tim Elliott, who submitted him in the second round.
- Baysangur Susurkayev made headlines with a lightning-fast debut: just four days after signing his contract, he stepped into the octagon and submitted Eric Nolan in the second round. A true record-breaking debut.
The New King of the Division
Chimaev’s path to the belt was swift and relentless. His style — pressure, wrestling, and absolute confidence in every move — proved an insurmountable barrier even for a fighter as durable as Du Plessis. UFC 319 firmly cemented his status as one of MMA’s biggest stars. Now, new challenges await: perhaps a unification fight, perhaps rivals moving up from other weight classes. One thing is certain — the Chimaev era has only just begun.
