UFC 319 live: Chimaev vs Du Plessis updates and results as dominant Russian seizes middleweight title
Re-live the action after Khamzat Chimaev tore the middleweight belt away from Dricus Du Plessis
Khamzat Chimaev tore the middleweight title away from Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319, dominating the South African for a decision win on Saturday.
The unbeaten Chimaev had been touted as one of the scariest prospects in mixed martial arts since his emphatic UFC debut in 2020, but illness and travel issues slowed the Russian’s march towards a title fight. On Saturday (16 August), however, Chimaev finally got his shot, and his wrestling prowess was far too much for Du Plessis, who spent the vast majority of the five rounds – 25 minutes in all – on the canvas, trying to survive.
Chimaev, 31, scored a takedown within the first 10 seconds of the fight and succeeded with almost every subsequent takedown he tried. He secured crucifix position multiple times at Chicago’s United Center and fired off short punches, while in other moments he sought chokes and submissions.
Before almost every round, Du Plessis told his corner team, “I feel great,” and he even told them before the final round: “I’ve got this.” The spirited champion in fact ended the fight in an advantageous position, having stuffed a takedown and almost sealed a rear naked choke, but it was his only moment of success in the contest.
All three scorecards ultimately read 50-44 in Chimaev’s favour, as he ended Du Plessis’s title reign after two successful defences. Re-live all the action from the UFC 319 prelims and main card, below.
UFC 319 live: Khamzat Chimaev dethrones Dricus Du Plessis
UFC 319 live: Khamzat Chimaev dethrones Dricus Du Plessis
Full main-event report:
Khamzat Chimaev utterly dominates Dricus Du Plessis to usher in new era at UFC 319
UFC 319 live: Khamzat Chimaev dethrones Dricus Du Plessis
UFC 319 live: Dricus Du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev
Chimaev doesn’t have much of note to say, but he thanks his resident nation – the UAE – and dons a Palestinian flag.
Du Plessis: “The man has incredible control on the top, he’s just like a banket. It wasn’t a matter of strength, it was almost as if he knew what yor next move would be.
“I had to decide: am I gonna be on my back, or have him on my back? At the end, I went for it. I could almost taste victory.
“I’m coming to get my belt back, but for now it’s his, he’s got to enjoy it. I’ll be back stronger, better than ever.
“Everyone in South Africa, you know what this flag means to me.”
UFC 319 live: Dricus Du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev
Khamzat Chimaev def. Dricus Du Plessis via unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-44)
There you have it. Every round to Chimev, and a 10-8 in there for all three judges. And new!
UFC 319 live: Dricus Du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev
Round five
“I’ve got this,” Du Plessis tells his team, before hyping up the crowd. He’s got a moral victory tonight, no matter what.
DDP blocks a head kick. He flies at Chimaev with a knee. Chimaev shoots for a double-leg, slips to the back, then almost German suplexes the champ from low down.
He moves into crucifix again. He tries an Americana, but Du Plessis twists free. Chimaev has his back, and a kneeling DDP tries to stand.
And eventually he does! But he’s up for about one second.
Remarkably, a scramble ends with Du Plessis on top in half-guard! He tries a guillotine, but it’s not there! He has Chimaev in his closed guard now.
Eventually, Goddard stands the fighters up. Ninety seconds to go. Du Plessis with a flurry of punches, but he eats a switch jab.
He stuffs a takedown and strikes a turtled-up Chimaev, who soon stands. He tries to drip Du Plessis, who ends up on top and seeking a rear naked choke...
He nearly has it, but can’t quite finish it! What a spirited finish by DDP, but the buzzer sounds – and the title will be Chimaev’s!
UFC 319 live: Dricus Du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev
Round four
Into the championship rounds, where DDP needs a miracle. He STILL tells his coaches that he feels “great”. He even taunts the pro-Chimaev crowd.
Body kick and jab upstairs by Chimaev, who then chases after Du Plessis with a single-leg. Du Plessis evades and spins, but eventually he’s caught near the fence.
He’s kneeling, and Chimaev has one hook in. DDP does well to stand, but he’s shrugged down with ease.
Again, DDP stands; again, he’s floored. Chimaev gets side mount once more and seeks the crucifix yet again.
Referee Goddard actually separates them and stands them up, with one minute left in the round, due to perceived inactivity by Chimaev, who was kneeing the body of the champ.
Chimaev catches a kick and takes down DDP again, and he throws more knees to the backside.
Boos at the buzzer. I thought this crowd like Chimaev? All well and good until the wrestling clinic, eh?
UFC 319 live: Dricus Du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev
Round three
Again, DDP tells his team that he feels “great”. They acknowledge that he’s two rounds down and say the fight starts now.
Another takedown shot by Chimaev, who gets Du Plessis to the fence and dumps him down with a double-leg. The South African stands, but he’s quickly dragged down again.
Chimaev has side mount and is throwing punches but also considering an arm-triangle.
Again, Chimaev gets into crucifix position and fires off short punches and a few elbows. DDP is cut now, it seems...
The strikes are doing more damage here, and ref Marc Goddard may have to think about stepping in...
One minute to go. Chimaev moves into mount. Du Plessis gives up the back and now has to defend a rear naked choke...
Du Plessis survives again.
UFC 319 live: Dricus Du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev
Round two
Between rounds, DDP tells his corner that he feels fine.
A high kick nearly gets through for Chimaev, who then sees a double-leg takedown thwarted. But he’s able to force DDP to the fence and take the back of the kneeling champ.
Du Plessis crawls along the cage wall. He shrugs as Chimaev knees him in the backside several times.
Chimaev goes for the rear naked choke now, but the champion does well to fight the hands for now...
Chimaev mixes in some punches, which is how he created an opening for the choke / face crank against Robert Whittaker.
One minute to go. DDP still staving off the choke well, but the threat is always there.
Du Plessis makes it to the buzzer.
UFC 319 live: Dricus Du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev
Round one
How long until Chimaev shoots his first takedown? Front kick first, then a double-leg inside the first five seconds or so.
DDP tries to use Chimaev’s momentum to flip him over, but Chimaev gets top position. He’s seeking a crucifix position, gets it, and fires off punches...
DDP turns his head into Chimaev to hide it. More short punches by Chimaev, though.
Now Chimaev eyes an arm-triangle choke, but DDP holds on tight to limit the Russian’s range of motion.
Chimaev moves into side control. DDP is still trying to bridge with his hips and buck off the challenger.
Eventually DDP is able to scramble, and Chimaev nearly takes the back, but Du Plessis gets free! Only for a moment, then he tries a guillotine to no avail.
The buzzer sounds. Dominant by Chimaev.
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