Khamzat Chimaev dominated champion Dricus du Plessis to win the UFC middleweight title at UFC 319 in Chicago, taking a clean sweep on the scorecards: 50–44, 50–44, 50–44.
What We Saw
From the opening minute of every round, Chimaev shot, finished, and smothered. Du Plessis had few chances to strike at range; whenever he created space, Chimaev closed it, wrestled again, and reset the same exhausting cycle.
The Numbers That Tell the Story
UFC record for total strikes landed in a fight: Chimaev 529 to Du Plessis 45.
Takedowns: 12 of 17, tied for the third most in a UFC title fight.
Control time: 21+ minutes across five rounds.
These are historic numbers for a five-rounder and explain the wide scorecards.
Key Moments
Early rounds: Immediate takedowns, sustained ground-and-pound, and long stretches of top control set the tone.
Round 5 scare: Du Plessis briefly scrambled on top and threatened a guillotine, but Chimaev calmly escaped and finished strong.
Why It Worked
Relentless entries: Chimaev didn’t give du Plessis the long exchanges he prefers.
Chain wrestling: When the first shot stalled, he transitioned to the next.
Positional suffocation: From rides to crucifix, he kept du Plessis defending instead of attacking.
What It Means for Middleweight
Chimaev arrives as a champion with elite wrestling, ferocious pace, and proven five-round cardio. Immediate contenders discussed in the division picture include Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho—both intriguing tests for the new king.
Respect for the Former Champ
Du Plessis showed grit and late urgency, but the gap in wrestling and control was decisive. Expect him to remain a top contender after some adjustments.
Bottom Line
This was not a close call or a lucky moment—it was systematic dominance. With a record strike output, overwhelming control, and unanimous 50–44 cards, the Chimaev era at middleweight has begun.