Introduction
UFC 319 gave fight fans one of the most anticipated showdowns of the year as Khamzat Chimaev faced Dricus du Plessis for the Middleweight Championship.
With both fighters carrying undefeated momentum and heavy fan expectations, the bout promised fireworks — and Chimaev delivered. His dominant performance not only secured the belt but also shook up the balance of power in the division.
In this blog, we’ll explore the pre-fight hype, expert predictions, round-by-round highlights, post-fight reactions, and what lies ahead for Khamzat Chimaev and the middleweight division.
Pre-Fight Hype & Storylines
Heading into UFC 319, the narrative was intense. Dricus du Plessis, known for his grit and unconventional style, was defending his title against the unbeaten monster, Khamzat “Borz” Chimaev (15-0).
Chimaev’s Journey: He had already steamrolled through big names like Robert Whittaker and Kamaru Usman, proving he was ready for gold.
Psychological Warfare: Leading up to the fight, Chimaev played mental games, even mocking du Plessis’s coaches online to stir up tension.
Fan Anticipation: The MMA community was buzzing — could Chimaev remain undefeated or would du Plessis stop the hype train?
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Advice
One of the most fascinating aspects of the build-up was advice from Khabib Nurmagomedov, who broke down how Chimaev should approach the fight:
Strike early to set the tone.
Don’t waste energy in the opening rounds.
Mix wrestling with clean boxing to dominate all areas.
Khabib’s breakdown echoed what analysts like Luke Thomas suggested: Chimaev needed to show that he wasn’t just a wrestler but also a dangerous striker.
Round-by-Round Fight Recap
Round 1
Chimaev wasted no time, taking du Plessis down and locking him into a crucifix-like position. Heavy ground-and-pound followed, leaving du Plessis struggling to escape.
Score: 10-9 Chimaev
Round 2
After blocking high kicks, Chimaev powered through with another takedown. His top control and relentless pressure were suffocating.
Score: 20-18 Chimaev
Rounds 3–5
The pattern continued: Chimaev’s grappling dominance neutralized du Plessis. Every attempt at striking was shut down, and Chimaev absorbed little damage in return. By the championship rounds, the writing was on the wall.
Final Result: Chimaev wins via Unanimous Decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-44).
Co-Main Event Highlights
The card also featured some spectacular finishes:
Lerone Murphy stunned the crowd with a spinning back-elbow KO of Aaron Pico.
Carlos Prates landed another spinning elbow finish, earning himself a $50K bonus.
Under the prelims, strong performances from Michał Oleksiejczuk (TKO) and Lupita Godinez kept fans entertained.
Post-Fight Reactions
The MMA world exploded after Chimaev’s win:
Fans hailed him as the new unstoppable force at 185 lbs.
Analysts credited his wrestling-heavy dominance as a perfect strategy.
Chimaev himself declared he was ready for any challenger and hinted at calling out Sean Strickland next.
What’s Next for Chimaev?
The middleweight division just got shaken up:
A potential Sean Strickland grudge match is on the horizon.
Names like Israel Adesanya and Jared Cannonier are also lurking.
With his undefeated streak intact, Chimaev now has the chance to build a true legacy as a dominant champion.
Conclusion
UFC 319 proved why Khamzat Chimaev is one of the most feared fighters in MMA today.
His dominance over Dricus du Plessis showcased elite wrestling, patient striking, and championship-level composure.
As the middleweight titleholder, Chimaev is now the man to beat — and fight fans around the world eagerly await his next challenge.
