Chimaev destroys du Plessis to earn UFC middleweight belt

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Dricus du Plessis’ dream title fight against Khamzat Chimaev quickly turned into a nightmare.

In a dominant display of ground control and striking efficiency, Chimaev secured a unanimous decision victory over du Plessis in the UFC 319 main event on Aug. 17, 2025, in Chicago.

All three judges scored the bout 50-44 in favor of the Russian star, underscoring one of the year’s most lopsided title fights.

Chimaev showcased elite wrestling, landing 12 of 17 takedown attempts and spending 21 minutes in ground control across the five-round battle. His high-level takedowns were backed by sharp jabs and counter hooks that overwhelmed du Plessis from start to finish.

Chimaev wasted no time in the opening round, taking du Plessis down in just seven seconds by clipping his left leg and controlling his shoulders to set up a leg lock attempt.

Du Plessis briefly countered with three no-look hammer fists that forced Chimaev to loosen his grip, allowing him to stand and reset. But the respite was short-lived as Chimaev scored another takedown and rained down elbows.

Du Plessis’ best moments came in the third and final rounds, where a hook-uppercut combination connected cleanly with Chimaev’s jaw. Still, the Russian absorbed the shots and returned to his suffocating ground dominance.

In the fourth round, Chimaev nearly locked in a kimura submission in the final 30 seconds, forcing du Plessis to endure significant damage before the bell.

The fifth round sealed the outcome as Chimaev delivered a series of clean jabs and repeated takedowns, swelling du Plessis’ right eye and leaving little doubt about the result.

“He was just like a blanket,” du Plessis said after the fight. “It wasn’t a matter of strength. It was just as if he knew what your next move was going to be. He got it without using too much power, and I had to decide if I was going to be on my back or have him on my back.”