UFC 319: Chimaev Dismantles Du Plessis, Dominates Middleweight Division

UFC 319 in Chicago went down in history as a night of one-sided dominance, with Khamzat Chimaev putting on an absolute clinic against former middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis. In a battle that many anticipated to be competitive, Chimaev left no doubt as to who the real king of the middleweight division is.

From the moment the bell rang, Chimaev took control of the fight. The first seven seconds were all it took for Chimaev to drag du Plessis to the canvas, where he would remain for the vast majority of the 25-minute main event. Chimaev's wrestling was on another level as he landed 12-of-17 takedowns and smothered du Plessis for a staggering 21:40 of ground control time. The judges' scorecards were a reflection of the fight’s one-sided nature, with each of them scoring the bout 50-44 in favor of Chimaev.

Despite du Plessis' valiant efforts, particularly in the fifth round, there was no escaping the pressure Chimaev applied. Du Plessis, a fighter known for his tough chin and explosive power, was simply outclassed in every area. 529 strikes landed by Chimaev compared to just 45 for du Plessis was a testament to the sheer volume and suffocating style of the Swedish-born fighter.

While Chimaev didn’t secure a finish, the level of control he exhibited was historic. A few may argue that the fight could have been stopped earlier due to the overwhelming nature of the assault, but credit to du Plessis for surviving until the final bell.

The best that can be said for du Plessis was that he found some rhythm in the final moments of the fight. The fifth round saw him land a few strikes and attempt to make a statement with a late rally, but it was too little, too late. Chimaev, though, remained unshaken by any of the attempts to turn the tide. In the end, this was a complete victory for the Russian-born phenom.

As Chimaev stood victorious inside the octagon, the United Center crowd wasn't exactly thrilled. The incessant boos during his victory interview reflected the disappointment in the lack of action.

UFC fans are known for their preference for fast-paced, exciting knockouts, and Chimaev’s wrestling-heavy approach didn’t cater to that desire. However, Chimaev seemed unfazed by the negative reception, a testament to his confidence and unrelenting mindset. UFC 319 will go down as the night that solidified Khamzat Chimaev as a dominant force in MMA. For Dricus du Plessis, it was a humbling reminder of the brutal reality of elite competition, and a lesson in just how far the sport has come.The middleweight division has a new king, and for now, his name is Khamzat Chimaev.