Chimaev Ascends: Khamzat’s Ruthless Wrestlecraft Clinches UFC Middleweight Crown at UFC 319

Chicago’s United Center witnessed a seismic shift in the MMA landscape on August 16, 2025, as Khamzat Chimaev dethroned reigning champion Dricus du Plessis to claim the UFC Middleweight Championship in a masterclass performance of grappling dominance

Total Control from the Opening Bell

Chimaev wasted no time in imposing his will. From the opening bell, he executed takedowns with relentless precision and maintained suffocating ground control—locking du Plessis into crucifix holds, side control, and back mount with surgical efficiency. His top control lasted nearly the entire fight, neutralizing du Plessis’s striking arsenal 

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Judges awarded a unanimous decision in favor of Chimaev with emphatic identical scores of 50-44 across the board

Du Plessis’s Valorous But Powerless Resistance

Despite his renowned striking credentials, du Plessis found himself completely stifled. Only in the final round did he briefly taste offensive momentum—landing a few strikes and even switching to top position for fleeting moments—but it was too little, too late. Chimaev’s control remained unchallenged for the lion’s share of the fight 

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A Night of Explosive Finishes

The main event’s grinding pace gave way to explosive excitement elsewhere on the card:

• Lerone Murphy electrified fans with a spinning back-elbow knockout of Aaron Pico in the co-main event—so clean that it sparked immediate hospitalization for Pico, though he suffered no serious injuries The SunMMAmania.comNews.com.au.

• Carlos Prates followed suit, delivering a knock-out via spinning elbow against Geoff Neal just before the bell MMAmania.comNews.com.au.

• Other highlights included Michael Page’s slick decision win over Jared Cannonier, Tim Elliott’s second-round submission of Kai Asakura, and standout wins from Michal Oleksiejczuk, Lupita Godinez, and other emerging stars MMAmania.comNews.com.auWikipedia.

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Chimaev’s Legacy Begins Anew

The victory not only preserved Chimaev’s undefeated 15-0 record but also announced the start of his reign atop the middleweight division—one built on unrelenting pressure, elite grappling, and mental fortitude News.com.auThe Economic TimesWikipediaReuters.

In the post-fight moments, Chimaev praised du Plessis as a “real African lion,” while du Plessis, showing grace in defeat, acknowledged Chimaev’s superiority and vowed to return stronger 

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Verdict: A New Standard of Dominance

UFC 319 delivered a definitive message: Khamzat Chimaev isn’t just the new champ—he’s a grappling juggernaut reshaping expectations of control in the octagon.

The event, combining calculated brutality, shocking finishes, and emerging talent, will be remembered not just for a title change, but for how emphatically it was achieved. Keep your eyes on the middleweight division—Chimaev’s ascent has only just begun.