Khamzat Chimaev made his UFC debut in 2020, and many fans and analysts immediately viewed him as a rising star with the potential to become a future champion. Five years later, he has finally lived up to those initial expectations.
Chimaev (15-0) captured the middleweight title by dominating Dricus Du Plessis (23-3) on Saturday night at UFC 319 in Chicago. Du Plessis prevented Chimaev from finishing the fight with a knockout, but offered little resistance.
The fight turned into a one-sided showcase, standing out as one of the most dominant five-round performances in UFC history. According to UFC statistics, Chimaev outlanded Du Plessis, with a total of 510 strikes to 56. All three judges scored the match 50-44 in favor of Chimaev.
“I’m always happy,” Chimaev said. “I never have a strategy, I just go out there and work like I do in the gym. This guy is strong. I haven’t been able to knock him out. I respect him. He’s the only champion who isn’t afraid to call me out by name. This guy has a big heart.”
Chimaev, who hails from Chechnya, entered the UFC in July 2020 and made history by securing two victories within just 10 days. The UFC attempted to quickly propel him to the welterweight championship, but he contracted a severe case of Covid-19 in 2021 and has faced numerous medical and visa issues over the past four years.
When active, Chimaev proved nearly unstoppable, with wins over former champions like Kamaru Usman and Robert Whittaker. On Saturday, he dominated once again, landing 12 of 17 takedown attempts and controlling more than 21 of the fight’s 25 minutes. He put Du Plessis on the mat in the opening minute of every round and twice locked him in a crucifix position, leaving him unable to defend.
Despite the pressure, Du Plessis stayed composed, even smiling between rounds. In the final frame, he nearly turned the tables with a guillotine choke on a fatigued Chimaev. The submission looked tight for a moment, but Chimaev slipped free and closed out the fight on top.
Afterward, Du Plessis praised his opponent’s skill:
“This man has incredible control in dominant positions. It wasn’t just about strength — it felt like he knew what was coming next. I almost had a moment with the choke, but he beat me fair and square. He was the better fighter tonight. I’ll be back for the belt, but for now, it’s his. He deserves it.”
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