On August 16, 2025, Khamzat Chimaev became the UFC middleweight champion by outclassing Dricus Du Plessis in a unanimous decision at UFC 319 in Chicago’s United Center. The fight, aired on ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, and ESPN+, showed Chimaev’s control, landing 529 strikes and 12 takedowns. After the fight, Chimaev spoke to reporters about his control, training, and next steps.
A Complete Victory
Chimaev, undefeated at 15-0 (9-0 UFC), faced Du Plessis, who had a 23-3 record (9-1 UFC) and was defending his title for the third time. Chimaev took charge from the start, earning 50-44 scores from all judges. He used his wrestling to pin Du Plessis in the crucifix position, landing heavy ground-and-pound.
He enjoyed himself in the octagon, saying:
“I was just working on him. So I had some cool time on that there. Just spoke with him, spoke with his coach [in the] middle of the fight. Was happy. I say ‘Good job. Work harder, guys.’” On past cardio criticism, he stated, “I don’t care what people thinks about doing my thing. How many strikes I landed on him? How many takedowns I have there? So … I didn’t gas out. So now they know.”
Chimaev joined the UFC in July 2020 on Fight Island. He submitted John Phillips and knocked out Rhys McKee 10 days later, quickly gaining fans. His fast wins over Gerald Meerschaert and Li Jingliang boosted his popularity. A 2022 fight against Gilbert Burns tested his stamina, but he silenced doubters with a first-round submission of Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 in October 2024.
Health challenges, including a 2021 COVID-19 recovery, slowed him, but his coach, Joakim Karlsson, told ESPN MMA, “He’s worked on his fitness. He’s a different fighter now.”
The middleweight king 🐺
[ @KChimaev | #UFC319 ] pic.twitter.com/0MP5bKIiuK
— UFC (@ufc) August 17, 2025
Chimaev shared his training approach, saying:
“I do this to have fun with my friends. I take them in this position and hold them for 25 minutes, one hour sometimes. Make them humble. No one can take me down, hold me down, so I go to gym, hold them down there with this position. So yeah, I do this a lot.”
Chimaev wanted a finish but valued the five-round experience, noting:
“The boys always saying, ‘Bro, it will be good for us if you go five rounds for the next fight, that makes us a better fighter.’ So, happy that’s happened. But sorry for Dana White. He likes finishes. I tried last seconds, but make mistake.”
He became the 15th UFC fighter to win an undisputed title while undefeated.
He’s ready for any challenge, saying:
“I don’t care about these things, bro. Where they give the money, I fight anyone.” He added, “If God wants, we will do it. I’m ready. Fight anyone. Go up, go down. If I don’t die, I will be here.”
Chimaev dismissed retirement talk, telling ESPN MMA, “I need money, bro. This is not enough, just to go for the one title.” Possible next fights include Sean Strickland, Israel Adesanya, or Magomed Ankalaev at light heavyweight.
