Khamzat Chimaev Captures Middleweight Belt at UFC 319
UPDATE: Khamzat Chimaev has just secured the UFC middleweight championship by defeating Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 in Chicago on October 7, 2023. The fight ended in a decisive unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring it 50-44, showcasing Chimaev’s dominant grappling and striking skills throughout the bout.
Chimaev (15-0) wasted no time in asserting his control, executing a takedown just moments into the first round. He maintained pressure on Du Plessis (23-3), placing him in a vulnerable position for most of the opening round. Although Du Plessis skillfully avoided significant damage early on, he struggled to mount any offense against Chimaev’s relentless ground game.
As the rounds progressed, Chimaev’s grappling prowess began to wear down Du Plessis. By the third round, Chimaev unleashed a barrage of strikes while Du Plessis found himself on his back, further solidifying Chimaev’s dominance. UFC President Dana White remarked, “Nobody wants to be in a crucifix getting punched in the head like that. It’s got to be the most frustrating, suck the heart and soul out of you.”
In a moment of respect, Chimaev acknowledged Du Plessis’s toughness, stating, “That guy is tough to finish. Respect that guy. He was the only champion to say ‘I’m in.’ This guy has a big heart.” Despite a late surge in the fifth round, where Du Plessis attempted a guillotine choke, it was too little too late, as Chimaev’s control throughout the fight proved insurmountable.
The UFC returned to Chicago for the first time in six years, marking a historic night as the highest-grossing event at the United Center. The main card also featured impressive performances, including two first-round knockouts by Carlos Prates and Lerone Murphy, both achieving spinning elbow finishes. Prates (22-7) delivered the ninth spinning elbow knockout in UFC history against Geoff Neal (16-7), while Murphy (17-0-1), who accepted the fight on just three weeks’ notice, finished Aaron Pico (13-5) with a right spinning elbow.
In the flyweight division, Timothy Elliott (22-13-1) opened the night with a stunning guillotine victory over Kai Askura (21-6) in the second round, reversing the momentum after a challenging first round.
As fans celebrate Chimaev’s victory, all eyes will be on his next steps, with speculation about future championship bouts, potentially including a clash with Alex Volkanovski for the featherweight title after Murphy’s impressive showing.
Stay tuned as these developments unfold, and the UFC landscape shifts dramatically following this monumental night in Chicago.
