Russian defeated the then champion by unanimous decision after five rounds “stopped”
The performance of Khamzat Chimaev It may not have pleased the Chicago public, but it was effective in its ultimate goal: the average weight belt. In the early hours of Sunday (17), the Russian defeated Dricus du plying by unanimous decision after five rounds “stopped” to close the UFC 319. Despite the full domain in the duel of the new champion, the South American tried to defend the title to the final seconds, when it seemed to fit a possible turn.
One of the most polarizing figures in the world of fighting, Chimaev remains unbeaten with 15 wins in 15 fights so far as a professional. Since 2020, when he won two wins in ten days and delighted UFC president Dana White, the challenger of the night has not stopped growing and today is one of MMA’s most famous fighters.
On the other hand, Du Plessis defended the belt for the third time since he won against Sean Strickland at UFC 297 in January 2024 in a divided decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47). The South African surpassed Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 by submission and Sean Strickland at UFC 312 by unanimous decision. With the defeat, the title becomes Russian Khamzat Chimaev.
Du Plessis x Chimaev: How was the fight?
First round
The most anticipated fight of the night begins. The first seconds were marked by pure intensity, with Chimaev entering at once to take Du Plessis to the floor. Despite the surprise, the South African took a brief opportunity to try a strangulation, which was soon surpassed. The challenger remains on top and works control to the ground to apply some blows to Dricus’s head. In the final seconds, the champion managed to get out of the opponent’s squeeze, but the duel was not long to return to the ground.
Second round
The beginning of the second robbery was no different from the previous one. With strong pressure, Chimaev went to the game grabbed Dricus to try to take the fight – once again – to the floor. Without much action, the South American sought to focus on the defense lowered, while the Russian hit the rival’s back knees. The threat of strangulation was the main “ally” of the challenger for almost the entire round.
Third round
Like the two initial rounds, the Russian overturned the opponent with less than 15 seconds of dispute. Chimaev signed control over Du Plessis, who received strong challenging blows as she tried to get rid of the ground to impose her fighting style. The domain of the duel is clearly in the hands of the “wolf”, and Dricus “survived” unable to move on to the exchange, as the fight remained in the grab on the floor.
Quarto round
The beginning of the fourth round seemed to deliver a different dispute from the others, with some stroke strokes directed. Despite this, Chimaev declined to change the strategy and soon overthrew the opponent, who could not get out of control of the Russian. Du Plessis finally came out of the Russian guard, with a quick movement standing, but the fight returned to the ground and remained there until the end of time on the clock.
Quinto round
The tenth fall of Du Plessis happened – again – in the early seconds of the last UFC 319 robbery. Amid boos, Chimaev did not give up the efficiency of the grabbed game on the ground. Without much movements, the duel for the belt continued on the floor. The chance necessary for Dricus to turn the result with a fall of the Russian, which narrowly recovered the entrance of the South African.
In the final seconds, it seemed that a big surprise would animate the audience in Chicago, when the defender was almost able to close a beautiful strangulation about the challenger. Once again, time became a problem, and the victory was already referred: Khamzat Chimaev is the new owner of the medium weight belt.
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Technical file
UFC 319
📆 Data: August 16, 2025
⏰ Time: From 19h (Brasília time)
🌍 Local: United Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States
📺 Where to watch: streaming UFC Fight Pass (todo o card)
Main Card (from 11pm):
Dricus du Plessis 10 Khamzat Chimaev – Medium weight belt – Unanimous decision
Lerone Murphy X Aaron Pico – Weight Penal – Nocaute victory in the first round
Geoff Neal x Carlos Prates – average weight – Nocaute victory in the first round
Jared Cannonier x Michael “Venom” Page – average weight – Unanimous decision
Tim Elliott x Kacira – penca – Victory by finishing in the second round
Preliminary card (from 21h):
Baisangur Susurkaev X Eric Nolan – Medium Weight – Victory by finishing in the second round
Gerald Manchert X Michal Oleksiejczuk – average weight – Victory by technical knockout in the first round
Jessica Andrade (BRA) X Loopy Godinez – Women’s straw weight –
Chase Hooper x Alexander Hernandez – Lightweight – Victory by technical knockout in the first round
Initial preliminaries (from 19h):
Edson Barboza (BRA) x Drinker Klose – Lightweight – Unanimous decision
Alibi Idiris X Joseph Morales – Flying Weight (Dispute for Title Do Tuf) – Victory by finishing in the second round
Karine Silva (BRA) X Dione Barbosa (Bra) – Moscow Moscow Feminino – Unanimous decision
