In a performance that fulfilled years of high expectations, Khamzat Chimaev has been crowned the new UFC Middleweight Champion, delivering a masterful and dominant display to dethrone Dricus du Plessis in the main event of UFC 319. The highly anticipated title bout, held at the United Center in Chicago on Saturday, August 16, 2025, concluded with Chimaev earning a lopsided unanimous decision victory.
The judges’ scorecards of 50-44, 50-44, and 50-44 reflected the one-sided nature of the five-round contest. From the opening bell, Chimaev implemented a relentless wrestling-heavy game plan that the champion, Du Plessis, had no answer for. According to UFC Stats, Chimaev successfully landed an overwhelming 12 takedowns compared to just one from Du Plessis, controlling the fight on the mat for significant portions of the 25-minute bout. While Du Plessis showed immense heart and durability, surviving multiple difficult positions including a crucifix in the third round, he was unable to mount any significant offense against the challenger’s suffocating pressure.
The victory marks the culmination of a journey that began with Chimaev’s explosive UFC debut in 2020. He extends his perfect professional record to 15-0, finally capturing the championship gold that many had long predicted was his destiny. For Du Plessis, the loss ends his impressive reign and his nine-fight winning streak in the UFC. The South African, who made history as his country’s first UFC champion, sees his record fall to 23-3, as confirmed by his official record. Despite the loss, he fought valiantly until the final bell, even attempting a late reversal and submission.
Before the main event, Du Plessis had spoken of his unique fighting style and unbreakable will. “There’s no man that can break me. Mentally, I will never break,” he stated in a pre-fight interview with UFC.com. While his spirit remained intact, Chimaev’s tactical brilliance proved insurmountable on the night.
The UFC 319 card, the promotion’s first return to Chicago since 2019, delivered excitement from top to bottom. The co-main event saw undefeated British featherweight Lerone Murphy make a spectacular statement, knocking out highly-touted UFC debutant Aaron Pico in the first round with a stunning elbow. The night was filled with memorable finishes, as Carlos Prates also secured a first-round knockout victory over Geoff Neal with a similar elbow strike.
The main card also featured a tactical unanimous decision win for Michael “Venom” Page over veteran Jared Cannonier. On the preliminary card, several fighters made their mark. Alexander Hernandez overwhelmed Chase Hooper for a first-round TKO, and Loopy Godinez earned a hard-fought unanimous decision against former champion Jessica Andrade. Baisangur Susurkaev also impressed, securing a second-round submission win in his UFC debut just days after earning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series, as reported by CBS Sports.
Ultimately, the night belonged to Khamzat Chimaev, who silenced any remaining doubters with a championship performance that was both technically brilliant and physically imposing. A new era has begun in the middleweight division, with a formidable and undefeated champion now sitting on the throne.
