Khamzat Chimaev Defeats Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319
Khamzat Chimaev defeated Dricus du Plessis by unanimous decision at UFC 319 on August 16, 2025, winning the UFC middleweight championship. All three judges scored the Chicago main event 50–44 for Chimaev.
Chimaev controls five rounds
Chimaev controlled the fight with takedowns and top position over five rounds. Du Plessis completed the distance but could not prevent the title change. Chimaev improved to 15–0 and became UFC champion for the first time.
Other main-card results
The card also featured first-round knockouts by Lerone Murphy and Carlos Prates, a unanimous decision for Michael Page over Jared Cannonier, and Tim Elliott’s submission of Kai Asakura.
Chimaev’s wrestling shaped the contest from the opening seconds, repeatedly taking du Plessis down and limiting the champion’s offense. The scorecards were unusually wide for a five-round title fight, with every judge giving Chimaev a 10–8 round in the third. His win made him the latest champion in a division that had changed hands repeatedly.
Related reporting and sources: UFC: championship verdict, main-card methods and finish times · MMA Decisions: all five rounds and identical championship scorecards · MMA Junkie: championship victory and unbeaten record · Cageside Press: Page’s knockdowns and Cannonier’s late response · UFC · MMA
