By Kevin Rademeyer, Sports Journalist.
Analysis: Khamzat Chimaev’s reign as UFC middleweight champion has begun in emphatic fashion. The unbeaten Russian-born powerhouse dismantled South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis across five rounds at UFC 319, winning a lopsided unanimous decision and announcing himself as the division’s most formidable force.
From the opening exchange, Du Plessis was dragged into deep waters. Chimaev’s first takedown landed inside 15 seconds, and the pattern never changed. For nearly the entire 25 minutes, the champion was trapped beneath the challenger, smothered by the suffocating wrestling that has become Chimaev’s trademark.
The statistics told the story: 529 strikes landed by Chimaev to just 56 from Du Plessis, a new UFC record for both volume and striking differential. The scorecards read 50-44 across the board, confirmation of a contest that was more one-man clinic than back-and-forth title fight.
And yet, Du Plessis found fleeting moments of defiance. In the closing stages, he scrambled to Chimaev’s back and briefly threatened with a choke. It was the only moment of jeopardy for the new champion, who rode out the danger with trademark composure.
For Chimaev, now 15-0, the victory silences doubts about his cardio in five-round battles. For Du Plessis, it marks a first UFC defeat but not a collapse of reputation. His refusal to quit, even when outclassed, earned admiration. “Happy, happy always,” Chimaev, a man of few words, said about how he felt after the fight.
With a crowded middleweight title-contender pool in front of him, Chimaev said he was spending at least one night enjoying his breakthrough win. “I’m going to go back to the hotel, joke with my friends, and enjoy this victory,” Chimaev said.
Dricus was gracious in defeat. “The man has incredible control on the top,’” Du Plessis said after the fight. “He’s just like a blanket. I mean, it wasn’t a matter of strength. He wasn’t that physical. It’s almost as if he knew what your next move was going to be.” He added “All credit to Khamzat, he beat me fair and square.”
Three things UFC 319 taught us
- Du Plessis showed the heart of a true champion
He lost his belt, was outclassed on the floor but enhanced his reputation in terms of pure resilience. Against an opponent who had broken Robert Whittaker’s jaw and dominated Gilbert Burns, Du Plessis refused to fold. Despite the prefight talks about matching the grappling and wrestling, the entire fight was purely about survival for Du Plessis after being taken down within the first 14 seconds.
Chimaev was in total control, dictating the fight at his pace. Despite brief moments of ascendency, Dricus du Plessis was unable to impose his strategy on Chimaev. His final-round surge, launching punches, kicks and a near choke attempt, embodied the fighting spirit that has defined his career. Even Chimaev had to applaud his opponent’s appetite for a fight and his desire to never give up. He embodies the heart of an African Lion.
- Great champions win by discipline, not fireworks
Chimaev gave the fans little in the way of drama. It was not a spectacle. The crowds often booed, wanting more action. “Snoozefest” and “hugging” were trending on social media during and after the fight. But his approach was ruthlessly effective, clamping onto Du Plessis like a vice and never loosening his grip.
It was a lesson in pragmatism: elite fighters don’t always chase highlight-reel finishes, they play to their strengths and grind out victory. Du Plessis must now evolve his takedown defense and guard, if he hopes to reclaim the crown. Dricus is a warrior, well coached and hungry. He will know where he must improve, should he wish to bring the belt back one day.
- Africa may never see the UFC on its shores
Du Plessis has repeatedly voiced his desire to bring a UFC event to South Africa. The figures, however, tell a different story. UFC 319 in Chicago drew over 20,000 fans and a record-breaking $11 million gate. By contrast, South Africa’s biggest indoor arena holds fewer than 8,000 seats. This means that the average price of a ticket would be over R25 000. Unless economics shift, the dream of a UFC night in Pretoria or Johannesburg remains more aspiration than imminent reality. Chimaev stated “Africa never gonna see the belt again. Sorry guys,” He may be right. We may also never see the UFC itself, brought to our shores.
Du Plessis will need to lick his wounds, take the long flight back to South Africa and make good on his promise that South Africans are best through adversity. He stated that “The world still doesn’t know what we know, and I will be back to make you proud”. We would never bet against the African Lion.