Khamzat Chimaev (15-0) dominated Dricus du Plessis for five rounds to become the new UFC middleweight champion at UFC 319 from inside the United Center.
Since the opening bell, Chimaev (15-0) didn’t give du Plessis (23-3) time to breathe. He took him down early and put him in the crucifix in multiple rounds. du Plessis didn’t land double-digit significant strikes through the fight. He was being ragdolled and provided no answer.
The champion attempted to work his way out of Chime’s grappling attempts, but to no avail. He even tried the guillotine several times, but didn’t commit. At one point, du Plessis was bleeding by the eye. He even got some help with referee Marc Goddard bringing them up, though it was all for naught.
du Plessis had his best chance at winning in the fifth as he attempted several submissions. He still couldn’t commit to any of them as the final bell sounded.
Chimaev landed ten+ takedowns. His 484 total strike differential is the largest in UFC history. A COVID-19 infection was the only thing that damaged Chimaev. It’s his world, we’re just living in it. du Plessis’ eleven-fight win streak has come to an end.
After a year away from the cage, Aaron Pico made his UFC debut. The wrestling champion and knockout artist got a taste of his own medicine, getting knocked out following a spinning elbow from Lerone Murphy.
Pico landed hard shots in the opening minutes of the first round, but Murphy provided shots of his own. Murphy then landed a massive spinning elbow that forced Pico down to the canvas. Pico’s three-fight win streak has come to an end.
Murphy received a 50K bonus, and he might be next for featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.
See you in December @LeroneMurphy congrats #ufc319
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) August 17, 2025
The Fighting Nerds had a great night at UFC 319. Carlos Prates beat Geoff Neal with another walk-off spinning elbow. The man known for smoking cigarettes landed sharp shots and ended the fight with a big knockout.
He then asked and also received a 50K bonus and a spot on an upcoming Brazil card from Dana White.
Speaking of Bellator, former contender Michael “Venom” Page looked impressive against Jared Cannonier. Page showcased his power, put his his hands down, and danced around as he knocked his opponent down multiple times. He ran into some trouble in the third when Cannonier put him on the floor, but Page did enough to win.
What’s next for MVP, now 3-1 in the UFC?
It took a while for him to find his groove, but flyweight veteran Tim Elliott forced former RIZIN champion Kai Asakura to tap in the second round to open the main card. Elliott has now won two straight.
Before entering the octagon, Kai Asakura's last submission loss was in 2016. He has now lost two straight via submission. Who could have seen that coming?
The Sporting News provided results from the entire UFC 319 fight card.
UFC 319 full card results
Main Card
- Khamzat Chimaev def. Dricus du Plessis (c) via unanimous decision for the UFC middleweight title (50-44, 50-44, 50-44)
- Lerone Murphy def. Aaron Pico via KO (3:21 into round one)
- Carlos Prates def. Geoff Neal via KO (4:59 into round one)
- Michael "Venom" Page def. Jared Cannonier via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Tim Elliott def. Kai Asakura via guillotine choke (4:39 into round two)
Prelims
- Baysangur Susurkaev def. Eric Nolan via rear-naked choke (2:01 into round two)
- Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Gerald Meerschaert via TKO (3:03 into round one)
- Loopy Godinez def. Jessica Andrade via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Alexander Hernandez def. Chase Hooper via TKO (4:58 into round one)
Early Prelims
- Drakkar Klose def. Edson Barboza via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Karine Silva def. Dione Barbosa via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Joseph Morales def. Alibi Idiris via triangle choke (3:04 into round two) - Ultimate Fighter flyweight tournament final