Middleweight champ Dricus Du Plessis faced off against the formidable Khamzat Chimaev to close out Saturday’s UFC 319 in Chicago.
It was the third attempted title defense for South Africa’s “Stillknocks,” who had defeated Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland, after originally winning the belt from Strickland at UFC 297 in January of 2024.
Chimaev had the crowd behind him in advance of Saturday’s main event at the United Center getting underway, with Du Plessis booed on his walk out.
Khamzat raised an eyebrow and had a smirk while still in his corner, then came out, ducked a punch, and immediately landed a big takedown. He had the champ in a crucifix within a minute, landing left hands that while not powerful were voluminous. Du Plessis tried to buck Chimaev off of him, but could not. Instead, he hung on, tried to keep his head close to Chimaev’s body, and hoped for a standup that just wasn’t coming.
Dricus would work his way to the fence, but couldn’t wall walk or scramble out. Instead, he spent nearly the entirety of the round on his back, absorbing punches and elbows. When Chimaev took the back, Du Plessis slipped out the back door, but when he threw a wild punch, Chimaev took him right back down again.
Du Plessis opened round two with a head kick that was blocked, then had Chimaev burst into another takedown. This time, DDP was by the fence, on one knee, Chimaev controlling from the back. Khamzat then just dragged Du Plessis to his knees with a body lock in place. With the champ back to his knees, Chimaev drilled his rib with knee strikes.
After two rounds, Khamzat Chimaev was easily up 20-18, if not 20-17 depending on how judges viewed the opening frame.
Another huge takedown by Chimaev opened round three. Du Plessis hadn’t landed a significant strike through the first ten minutes and change. Two minutes in, and Chimaev had another crucifix. This time, elbows got through, and Du Plessis was showing damage by an eye. Du Plessis would pull his arm out, but not before eating about 50 punches. Chimaev took the back in the final minute, in what was the most lopsided round of the fight to that point.
After a few seconds of striking, Chimaev charged into another takedown to start round four. Du Plessis stuffed the first attempt, but was caught by the second. Chimaev worked his way to the back, with Du Plessis on his knees. He avoided the crucifix, but was in desperate need of a finish heading into round five.
It wouldn’t come. Du Plessis was taken down again. And while he was finally able to reverse late in the final frame and get some damage in, it was too little too late. Chimaev was never truly in danger, cruising to a massive title win.
Official Result: Khamzat Chimaev def. Dricus Du Plessis by unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-44)
