UFC 319 Results: Chimaev vs Du Plessis – A New Middleweight King Emerges in Chicago
The United Center in Chicago was buzzing with raw energy on August 16, 2025, as UFC 319 turned the Windy City into the epicenter of mixed martial arts. The arena, steeped in combat sports lore from boxing legends to wrestling icons, crackled with anticipation for a middleweight title fight that had fans on the edge of their seats. Over 20,000 roared as two warriors stepped into the octagon: Khamzat Chimaev, the relentless grappler nicknamed “Borz” (The Wolf), and Dricus Du Plessis, the hard-hitting South African champ known as “Stillknocks.” This was more than a fight—it was a collision of styles, wills, and destinies.
The buildup to this main event was feverish. Chimaev, a Chechen-born Swede with an unblemished record, brought his smothering wrestling and ironclad determination to seize the UFC Middleweight Championship. Du Plessis, the reigning king, countered with devastating striking and a never-say-die spirit, embodying the classic striker vs. grappler narrative. Fans argued passionately: Could Du Plessis keep the fight standing with his knockout power, or would Chimaev’s ground game grind him into submission? The stakes were sky-high, and the tension was palpable.
When the dust settled, Khamzat Chimaev stood victorious, his hand raised in triumph after a unanimous decision win (50–44 across all judges). The 31-year-old phenom claimed the UFC Middleweight Championship, extending his perfect record to 15-0 and cementing his place as a force of nature in the sport.
UFC 319 Results: Chimaev vs Du Plessis Fight Recap (Round by Round)
Round 1:
Chimaev charges forward, securing a takedown just eight seconds in, planting Du Plessis on the mat. Du Plessis attempts a guillotine choke, but Chimaev powers through, taking top position. He locks in a crucifix, landing short, stinging punches. Du Plessis scrambles up late but gets slammed back down, with Chimaev dominating control for a 10-9 score.
Round 2:
Chimaev keeps the pressure on with another quick takedown. Du Plessis fights to his feet, but Chimaev drags him back down, landing knees to the thighs and hips from the back. The brutal pace tests both fighters, but Chimaev’s cardio shines, earning a 10-9 for relentless dominance without major damage.
Round 3:
Du Plessis lands a body kick and a sharp left hook, briefly stunning Chimaev, who responds with a thunderous slam. Chimaev traps Du Plessis in a crucifix, unloading punches and elbows, opening a cut above the champ’s eye. Blood flows as Du Plessis struggles to escape, giving Chimaev a 10-8 for his most punishing round.
Round 4:
Chimaev opens with a body kick, then secures his seventh takedown. Du Plessis stands twice, but Chimaev drags him down each time, transitioning to the back and another crucifix. A referee stand-up for inactivity doesn’t stop Chimaev, who scores another takedown, frustrating the crowd but earning a 10-9 for unyielding control.
Round 5:
Du Plessis swings wild haymakers in desperation, but Chimaev ducks under for another takedown, working from side control and threatening a crucifix. Du Plessis reverses to top position with over two minutes left, chasing a guillotine that slips away. After a stand-up with 1:24 left, Du Plessis lands a one-two combo, stuffs a takedown, and reverses to end on top, but time expires, giving Chimaev a 10-9 and the unanimous decision.
Chimaev’s game plan was surgical: 12 takedowns, a near-record for middleweight fights, and over 20 minutes of control time. Du Plessis fought with heart, especially in that final-round rally, but Chimaev’s pressure was a tidal wave, impossible to hold back.
| Judge | Score (Chimaev vs. Du Plessis) |
|---|---|
| Judge 1 | 50–44 |
| Judge 2 | 50–44 |
| Judge 3 | 50–44 |
Winner Profile – Khamzat Chimaev
Khamzat Chimaev path to the top reads like a Hollywood script. Born in Chechnya, raised in Sweden, he cut his teeth in freestyle wrestling before storming the MMA world in 2018. By the time he hit the UFC in 2020, he was a wrecking ball, racking up three finishes that year, two in a blistering 10-day span on Fight Island. Now 15-0, with victories over names like Gilbert Burns, Kevin Holland, and Robert Whittaker, Chimaev is a nightmare matchup for anyone at 185 pounds.
At UFC 319, ranked #2 in the division, Chimaev’s wrestling was a masterclass. His takedowns were lightning-fast, his ground control like quicksand, and his stamina endless, exposing every hole in Du Plessis’ defense. In the post-fight interview, he was all class: “DDP’s a tough dude, a real fighter. I thought he’d be stronger, but he’s got heart. I came to take what’s mine, and I did.” Looking forward, he threw down the gauntlet: “Adesanya, Strickland, anybody—I’m ready. This belt’s staying with me.”
Challenger Profile – Dricus Du Plessis
Dricus Du Plessis climbed the mountain the hard way. Hailing from Pretoria, South Africa, the 30-year-old honed his craft in kickboxing, snagging K-1 titles before diving into MMA. With a 21-2 record entering UFC 319, he’d ruled regional promotions like EFC and KSW before joining the UFC in 2020. His crowning moment came in 2024, upsetting Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 to claim the middleweight belt, which he defended once before facing Chimaev.
Du Plessis’ strengths—bone-rattling strikes, 14 knockouts, and a gas tank that won’t quit—showed in spurts, especially his late surge in Round 5. But Chimaev’s grappling revealed cracks in his ground game, leaving him stuck on the mat too often. Bloodied but unbowed, Du Plessis vowed a comeback: “Tonight wasn’t my night, but Khamzat’s the real deal. I’ll be back, better, stronger. That belt’s coming home again.” Now 21-3, he’s eyeing fights with contenders like Paulo Costa or Brendan Allen to claw his way back.
| Fighter | Record Before Fight | Fighting Style | Age | UFC Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khamzat Chimaev | 14-0 | Wrestling / Grappling | 31 | #2 |
| Dricus Du Plessis | 21-2 | Striking / Kickboxing | 30 | Champion |
UFC 319 Highlights & Bonuses
The undercard at UFC 319 was pure chaos, serving up knockouts that had the crowd losing their minds. Lerone Murphy stole the co-main event with a spinning back elbow that dropped Aaron Pico like a stone in Round 1, sparking title-shot buzz. Not to be outdone, Carlos Prates mirrored the move, flattening Geoff Neal with his own spinning elbow KO earlier in the night.
Other standout moments included Tim Elliott choking out Kai Asakura with a slick second-round guillotine and Michal Oleksiejczuk’s first-round TKO of Gerald Meerschaert. The full card delivered:
- Khamzat Chimaev def. Dricus Du Plessis via UD (50-44 x3)
- Lerone Murphy def. Aaron Pico via KO (Round 1)
- Carlos Prates def. Geoff Neal via KO (Round 1)
- Michael Page def. Jared Cannonier via UD (29-28 x3)
- Tim Elliott def. Kai Asakura via Submission (Round 2)
- Baisangur Susurkaev def. Eric Nolan via Submission (Round 2)
- Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Gerald Meerschaert via TKO (Round 1)
- Loopy Godinez def. Jessica Andrade via UD (29-28 x3)
- Alexanderaed Chase Hooper via KO (Round 1)
- Drakkar Klose def. Edson Barboza via UD (29-28 x3)
- Karine Silva def. Dione Barbosa via UD (29-28 x3)
- Joseph Morales def. Alibi Idiris via Submission (Round 2)
Dana White, grinning ear to ear, announced the event pulled in $11.05 million at the gate—a record for the United Center and the biggest UFC haul Chicago’s ever seen.Bonuses ($50,000 each) went to:
- Performance of the Night: Khamzat Chimaev, for his relentless title-winning beatdown
- Performance of the Night: Lerone Murphy, for his jaw-dropping spinning elbow KO
- Performance of the Night: Carlos Prates, for his own highlight-reel spinning elbow
- Performance of the Night: Tim Elliott, for his crafty guillotine finish
Aftermath & Future Implications
Chimaev’s win isn’t just a title change—it’s a tectonic shift in the middleweight division. At 15-0, he’s the new king, and his reign could be long. Fights with Israel Adesanya, who’s itching for redemption, or Sean Strickland, always ready for a scrap, loom large. Some even whisper about Chimaev testing the waters at light heavyweight down the line.
Du Plessis, bloodied but far from broken, faces a tough road back. A win over a top contender like Robert Whittaker or Brendan Allen could set him up for another shot at glory. The rankings are in flux: Chimaev sits atop as champ (#1), Du Plessis slides to #2, and Adesanya, Strickland, and Paulo Costa are circling like sharks.
Fighter Career Timeline
| Year | Khamzat Chimaev Highlights | Dricus Du Plessis Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | UFC debut, three straight finishes | Signed with UFC |
| 2021 | Built 10–0 streak, unstoppable | Racked up wins over top contenders |
| 2022 | Outdueled Gilbert Burns in a war | Snagged the middleweight belt |
| 2025 | Earned UFC 319 title shot | Defended belt, faced Chimaev |
FAQ Section
Who won UFC 319: Khamzat Chimaev vs. Dricus Du Plessis?
Khamzat Chimaev took the win via unanimous decision (50-44 x3), claiming the UFC Middleweight Championship.
How did Chimaev beat Du Plessis (fight breakdown)?
Chimaev overwhelmed with 12 takedowns, crucifix holds, and relentless ground control, stifling Du Plessis’ striking over five rounds.
What were the official UFC 319 scorecards?
All three judges scored it 50-44 for Chimaev.
Is Chimaev still undefeated?
Absolutely, Chimaev’s 15-0 after UFC 319.
What UFC title did Chimaev win?
The UFC Middleweight Championship.
What’s next for Khamzat Chimaev?
He’s called out Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland, ready to defend his belt against any challenger.
Will Du Plessis get a rematch?
Not right away, but a few big wins could put him back in the title picture—UFC loves a comeback story.
Where was UFC 319 held?
United Center, Chicago, Illinois.What were the UFC 319 bonuses?$50,000 Performance of the Night awards to Chimaev, Lerone Murphy, Carlos Prates, and Tim Elliott.
How does this result affect middleweight rankings?
Chimaev’s now #1 (champ), Du Plessis drops to #2, with Adesanya (#3) and Strickland (#4) climbing the ladder.
What is Chimaev’s UFC record after UFC 319?
15-0, with 9-0 in the UFC.What is Du Plessis’ UFC record after UFC 319?21-3, with 7-1 in the UFC.
Who else fought on UFC 319?
Standouts: Lerone Murphy KO’d Aaron Pico, Carlos Prates KO’d Geoff Neal, Michael Page outpointed Jared Cannonier, and more (full card above).
What were the best highlights of UFC 319?
Murphy and Prates’ spinning back elbow KOs, Chimaev’s takedown clinic, and Elliott’s slick guillotine.
Did UFC 319 have any fight cancellations?
Nope, the card went off without a hitch.
This wasn’t just a fight for a belt—it was a turning point.Khamzat Chimaev’s reign has begun, and the middleweight division will never be the same.
