This is the UFC 319 live blog for Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev, the main event middleweight championship bout Saturday at United Center in Chicago.
Du Plessis is currently No. 5 in the MMA Fighting Pound-for-Pound Rankings, while the undefeated Chimaev stands at No. 13.
Heading into his third defense of the UFC middleweight title, du Plessis (23-2) has established himself as one of the toughest, most unorthodox, and best fighters on the planet. The South African star is 9-0 in the UFC, with wins over the very best in his division, including Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker, and Sean Strickland. He seeks to not only retain his title and become the first man to beat Chimaev, but also make a case to be moved up to No. 1 on the pound-for-pound list.
Chimaev (14-0) has been a buzz saw since joining the UFC in 2020, with six of his eight wins in the promotion coming by way of knockout or submission—five in the first round. He can also claim victories over former UFC champions Whittaker and Kamaru Usman, results that strengthened his case for a title shot after illness and visa issues limited his in-cage appearances over the past few years. Now, he has the chance to prove he’s the real deal and possibly one of the faces of the promotion.
Check out the UFC 319 live blog for Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev below.
You can all breathe easy, Dricus du Plessis and, yes, Khamzat Chimaev are IN. THE. CAGE. This is happening.
Marc Goddard the third man in the cage for the main event.
Round 1: Immediate shot by Chimaev and he gets the takedown. Seconds. Chimaev aggressively working to advance. He has du Plessis in a crucifix position and he lands several good punches. These are little punches, but du Plessis is stuck. He’s just tucking his head in to prevent Chimaev from getting an angle for harder strikes. Half a round left and du Plessis is just hanging on.
Du Plessis attempting to push his feet against the fence and gain leverage, Chimaev isn’t having it. Blatant fence grab by du Plessis and Goddard immediately addresses it. Chimaev still on top. Du Plessis active off his back, but Chimaev isn’t giving him an inch. He tries to explode out and Chimaev briefly takes his back, but du Plessi shakes him off. Chimaev back on top after a loose guillotine attempt from du Plessis. Not much damage, but a clear round for the challenger.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Chimaev.
Round 2: They trade high kicks to start the round, both blocked. Chimaev right back to the takedown and even though du Plessis has it scouted, Chimaev just powers through and scores. Unreal. He has a rear body lock as they wrestle by the fence. Chimaev drags du Plessis down. Again, not much damage being done here, but Chimaev is in complete control of this fight so far.
Chimaev slipping in knees to the body. Du Plessis just staying tight and safe, not opening himself up to a big strike or submission attempt. More knees to the butt by Chimaev. Du Plessis makes a mistake throwing a strike over his shoulder and Chimaev nearly gets his neck. Chimaev with a couple of punches from rear position. He has been on du Plessis’ back this entire round, impressive stuff.
Du Plessis can only hang on and let the clock tick away, doesn’t seem to have any answers to get out of these positions. Time ticking away and that’s two one-sided Chimaev rounds in the books.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Chimaev. Overall, 20-18 Chimaev.
Round 3: Let’s see whose cardio holds up here.
Chimaev right back to the shot and he dumps du Plessis with ease. The body lock is in and Chimaev is set to run away with another round. That’s six takedowns, according to Jon Anik.
Du Plessis having an awful time of it on the bottom. Chimaev emphasizing control over significant strikes and it’s working. He goes for another crucifix and just pours it on with short strikes. Fans are booing, but no one can blame Chimaev. He’s fighting exactly how he wants to and dominating.
Chimaev cracks du Plessis with an elbow and there was nothing short or light about that. The champ can’t take too many more of those. Du Plessis tries to muscle out of the position and he’s no longer in the crucifix, but Chimaev makes it worse, briefly mounting him before taking the back gain. Chimaev wants the choke. Du Plessis fights him off, which is all he can do right now.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-8, Chimaev. Overall, 30-26 Chimaev.
Round 4: How’s this round going to start? Chimaev with a few strikes to set up a takedown and du Plessis actually avoids that one… until Chimaev just dives in again and takes du Plessis’ back once more.
Du Plessis stands up only to be dragged down again, almost shoved face-down into the mat. This is bullying. All du Plessis is doing is trying to stand up with Chimaev latched on to him and it is not going well for him. Du Plessis gets Chimaev off his back, but Chimaev is still on top, smothering and chipping away at the champion.
Goddard with a shocking standup. I can’t imagine the reasoning there. Not that it matters. Chimaev takedown. Count it.
More boos from the crowd. They can do what they want, Chimaev is five minutes away from becoming UFC champion.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-8, Chimaev. Overall, 40-34 Chimaev.
Round 5: Du Plessis out there throwing, but all it takes is a Chimaev jab into a takedown to put this fight back in familiar territory. It’s literally a matter of time now.
Chimaev back to the crucifix. Du Plessis just surviving. Chimaev on his back, draining what strength du Plessis has left. Plenty of short punches from Chimaev from rear position to sting du Plessis and prevent a standup. Out of nowhere, du Plessis stands up, twists around in Chimaev’s grip, and somehow pushes Chimaev onto his back? Vintage DDP!
Du Plessis goes for a guillotine and Chimaev immediately reverses into top position. That’s all, folks.
With two minutes left, Chimaev is in full guard, just grinding away. Goddard calls for a standup, not sure about that call either. Just over a minute left in the fight.
Du Plessis lands a right hand. Chimaev jabs and shoots, du Plessis stuffs it. Chimaev tries to out-muscle him, but du Plessis holds strong and shoves Chimaev down. He’s working to take the back! There’s no time! Give du Plessis that round, but we have ourselves a new middleweight champion!
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, du Plessis. Overall, 49-44 Chimaev.
Official result: Khamzat Chimaev def. Dricus du Plessis via unanimous decision (50-44 x3)
Post-fight, Chimaev apologizes for not finishing du Plessis, but says he’s happy.
He praises du Plessis, saying he has “real heart” and is a “real lion.”
Du Plessis says Chimaev isn’t just strong, “It’s like he knew what my next move was going to be.” He shows Chimaev respect and says he will get the belt back.
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