Chicago, Illinois — Khamzat Chimaev delivered an impressive performance on Saturday at UFC 319, claiming the middleweight championship with a dominating unanimous decision victory over Dricus du Plessis. The fight showcased Chimaev’s wrestling prowess, as he controlled the action for nearly the entire fight, ultimately winning with all three judges scoring it 50-44.

Chimaev wasted no time in asserting his dominance, taking du Plessis to the ground just seven seconds into the first round. Throughout the bout, Chimaev successfully executed 12 of his 17 takedown attempts and amassed an extraordinary 21 minutes and 40 seconds of ground control over the course of 25 minutes. In stark contrast, du Plessis had spent only 4 minutes and 56 seconds in a similar position during his entire five-year UFC career before facing Chimaev.

Although Chimaev outpaced du Plessis in total strikes, landing 529 to just 45 for his opponent, many of those strikes were not particularly damaging. Nonetheless, the sheer volume highlighted the one-sided nature of the fight. While du Plessis managed to rally in the fifth round, showcasing resilience in the last two minutes, much of the contest was characterized by Chimaev’s overwhelming pressure.

Following the fight, du Plessis described Chimaev’s control as akin to being smothered by a “blanket.” He acknowledged that Chimaev anticipated his moves, responding with precision rather than brute strength. Du Plessis admitted he had moments where he thought victory was within reach but ultimately praised Chimaev’s performance.

The crowd at the United Center expressed their displeasure with the lopsided fight, booing Chimaev during his post-fight interview. Despite the negative reaction, Chimaev appeared unfazed, maintaining focus on his championship.

The event featured high drama outside of the main event as well. The third fight of the main card was electrifying, with Carlos Prates delivering a stunning spinning back elbow knockout to Geoff Neal in the final second of the first round. Not to be outdone, Lerone Murphy replicated the feat in his first-round matchup against newcomer Aaron Pico. Both fighters earned $50,000 bonuses and the opportunity to choose their next opponents.

Following his win, Prates called out welterweight champion Leon Edwards for a potential matchup in an upcoming card in Rio de Janeiro, while Murphy’s solid performance has caught the attention of UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, who accepted a challenge from him via social media.

As UFC 319 concluded, fans were treated to a series of memorable moments and performances, with fighters proving their mettle under pressure, setting the stage for future matchups and rivalries in the octagon.