BREAKING: Khamzat Chimaev has just captured the middleweight title, defeating Dricus Du Plessis by unanimous decision at UFC 319 in Chicago on October 7, 2023. This victory marks a significant milestone for Chimaev, who remains undefeated at 15-0, showcasing his dominance in the octagon.
Chimaev opened the fight with an impressive takedown just seconds into the first round, controlling Du Plessis for nearly the entirety of the round. Despite Chimaev’s ground control, Du Plessis managed to avoid severe damage early on. However, the tide turned in the later rounds as Chimaev’s grappling skills took their toll, delivering a series of blows while Du Plessis struggled on the mat.
In a post-fight interview, Chimaev praised Du Plessis, stating,
“That guy is tough to finish. Respect that guy. (Du Plessis) was the only champion to say ‘I’m in.’ This guy has a big heart.”
The fight culminated with all three judges scoring the bout 50-44 in favor of Chimaev. Du Plessis showed brief signs of life in the fifth round, attempting a guillotine choke, but it was too late. He acknowledged Chimaev’s superiority, saying,
“He beat me fair and square tonight; he was the better man tonight. I’ll be back.”
The event drew massive crowds, marking the UFC’s return to Chicago after a six-year hiatus and becoming the highest-grossing event at the United Center. Alongside Chimaev’s victory, the main card delivered thrilling performances, including two spinning elbow finishes by Carlos Prates and Lerone Murphy.
Prates made history with the ninth spinning elbow finish in UFC history, knocking out Geoff Neal in the first round, while Murphy, who fought on short notice, ended Aaron Pico’s night with a right spinning elbow, setting up his potential title shot against Alex Volkanovski.
In another highlight, Michael Page secured a unanimous decision victory over Jared Cannonier after delivering a powerful right hand in the first round. The night kicked off with Timothy Elliott upsetting Kai Askura via guillotine in the second round, changing the momentum dramatically after being outstruck early in the fight.
As UFC 319 concludes, all eyes will be on Chimaev as he sets his sights on future title defenses. Fans eagerly await what comes next for this rising star in mixed martial arts.