Khamzat Chimaev Conquers UFC Middleweight Championship
Since his debut in 2020, Khamzat Chimaev was considered a future UFC star. Now, five years later, he has met expectations by obtaining the middleweight championship at UFC 319. Chimaev (15-0) demonstrated his dominance over Dricus Du Plessis (23-3) in a fight held at the United Center. Although Du Plessis resisted, Chimaev controlled most of the fight. The result was one of the most uneven fights in UFC history. The three judges scored 50-44 in favor of Chimaev, who set a new UFC record with 529 total strikes, surpassing Du Plessis’s 45. The previous record was held by Max Holloway with 447 strikes.Chimaev, from Chechnya, debuted in the UFC in July 2020, winning his first two fights in just 10 days. Despite health challenges and visa issues, Chimaev has proven to be an unstoppable force. In the fight, Chimaev connected 12 of 17 takedown attempts and dominated Du Plessis for more than 21 minutes of the 25 that the fight lasted. He managed to take his opponent down in the first minute of each round and put him in a crucifix position on two occasions. The 12 takedowns tied for the third-most in a title fight in UFC history, and the most since Demetrious Johnson landed 14 in 2015. Du Plessis, from South Africa, showed resistance and, although he attempted a guillotine in the last round, Chimaev managed to get out and finish the fight on top.I am happy, always. I never have a game plan, I just go in and work like I do in the gym. That guy is strong. I couldn’t finish. I respect that guy. He is the only champion who would say my name. This guy has a big heart.
Khamzat Chimaev
The man has incredible control at the top. It wasn’t a matter of strength, it wasn’t physical, it was almost as if he knew what your next move would be. I could almost taste that victory [with the choke], but he beat me fair and square. He was the better man tonight. I will come back to get my belt, but for now, it’s his. He deserves it.
Dricus Du Plessis
