In a high-stakes showdown that gripped the mixed martial arts world, Khamzat Chimaev delivered a commanding performance against Dricus du Plessis in the main event of UFC 319, capturing the UFC Middleweight Championship in the process. Over the course of five rounds, Chimaev showcased his superior grappling and strategic control, marking a defining moment in his unbeaten career and signalling the start of a new era in the division.
This is one of the craziest stats in UFC history. This wasn’t domination; Dricus was annihilated. pic.twitter.com/1xjcfF66uT
— iBhubesi (@mabasotf) August 17, 2025
Although many had anticipated a battle of attrition, with du Plessis known for his durability and ability to rally in later rounds, the narrative played out differently. Chimaev, widely known by his moniker “Borz,” imposed a relentless grappling assault that effectively neutralised du Plessis’ offence for the full 25-minute duration.
“The man has incredible control on the top,” Du Plessis told Joe Rogan in the octagon post-fight at UFC 319. “He’s just like a blanket. It wasn’t a matter of strength. It wasn’t that physical, it was almost as if he knew what your next move is going to be. He got it without using too much power and I had to decide, am I going to be on my back or have him on my back? At the end I went for it, had the back. I could almost taste that victory but big ups to Khamzat.”
Those words, spoken immediately after the bout in a live interview with UFC commentator Joe Rogan, reflected the respect and sportsmanship du Plessis carried despite suffering his first loss in nearly six years. Known to fans as “Stillknocks,” the South African athlete had not experienced defeat since October 2018 and entered the contest riding an impressive 11-fight win streak.
The match was billed as a clash between contrasting styles—du Plessis’ resilience and striking power versus Chimaev’s suffocating grappling and unbroken momentum. In the end, it was the latter that prevailed in decisive fashion. Chimaev’s timing, positional awareness, and near-telepathic anticipation of his opponent’s movements were on full display in what has been widely described as a grappling masterclass.
“He deserves this 100 percent,” Du Plessis said. “He beat me fair and square tonight. He was the better man tonight and I’ll be back, and I’m coming to get my belt back. But for now, it’s his and he deserves it. … I’ll be back stronger and better than ever.”
While the night belonged to Chimaev, du Plessis left the octagon with his head held high. His reflections did not dwell on excuses or controversy. Instead, he acknowledged Chimaev’s superiority on the night, credited his opponent’s preparation, and reaffirmed his own determination to return to championship contention.
Dricus Du Plessis made history tonight
He earned the worst performance by a champion EVER, well done 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/U7mqvFBjXk
— TheSportsAlien 💎 🇮🇪 (@Sports_Alien_OG) August 17, 2025
Du Plessis’ post-fight remarks earned praise across the sport for their humility and grace. It is rare in elite combat sports to see such candour and clarity immediately following defeat. Yet, the South African made it clear that the belt remains his ultimate goal, and fans can expect a fierce resurgence in his future bouts.
The victory marked a historic milestone for Chimaev, who now boasts a flawless professional record of 15 wins without a single loss. More significantly, it secured him the UFC title—a milestone he had been chasing since his explosive debut in the promotion. His rise has been meteoric, but UFC 319 may well be remembered as the night he fully arrived.
For Chimaev, the belt not only solidifies his position in the division but also opens the door to potential blockbuster matchups. For du Plessis, the road back to the title begins anew, armed with the lessons of this bout and the resilience that has defined his career thus far.
