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UFC 319 results, highlights: Dominant Khamzat Chimaev wins gold in flawless performance against Dricus du Plessis

Daniel Yanofsky

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UFC 319 results, highlights: Dominant Khamzat Chimaev wins gold in flawless performance against Dricus du Plessis image

Khamzat Chimaev was destined to fight for gold since his UFC debut. Once he was finally given a shot, he proved why he’s the most dangerous fighter in MMA.

Chimaev (15-0) dominated Dricus du Plessis for five rounds to become the new UFC middleweight champion at UFC 319. The Chechen-born fighter fulfilled a prophecy inside the United Center assigned to him since he emerged as an unstoppable monster in 2020.

Since the opening bell, Chimaev 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.

WATCH: UFC 319: du Plessis vs. Chimaev on ESPN+

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.

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, analysis, and highlights from UFC 319.

UFC 319 results, highlights

Khamzat Chimaev dominant against Dricus du Plessis to win gold

Round five: High kick from Chimaev. A massive takedown from Chimaev. du Plessis got on top and tried for the guillotine. Marc Goddard put them back up. Kick from du Plessis. He landed combinations in the last minute of the fight. Sprawl from du Plessis. He got on top of Chimaev and locked in the rear-naked choke, if only for a moment. As expected, Chimaev got the win. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Chimaev (50-43 Chimaev)

Round four: Once again, Chimaev got a takedown and kept him on the floor. Marc Goddard finally separated the fighters. du Plessis with a kick. Chimaev with a takedown and kept him by the corner. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-8 Chimaev (40-34 Chimaev)

Round three: Chimaev went straight for the takedown and got it. du Plessis got back up but Chimaev continued to dominate the champion with another takedown. Crucifix position and du Plessis has no answer for the grappling. His left eye was bleeding. Elbows and big shots to du Plessis' face connected. Rear-naked choke attempt. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Chimaev (30-26 Chimaev)

Round two: High kick from du Plessis. Takedown attempt from Chimaev, and got du Plessis from behind. He ragdolled the champion. Chimaev used his legs to attack the body of du Plessis. He tried for the rear-naked choke. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-8 Chimaev (20-17 Chimaev)

Round one: Chimaev took him down right away, but du Plessis tried for a submission. Chimaev on top now. He smashed the face of du Plessis while in the crucifix, not giving him a chance to breathe. On side position, Chimaev continued to control the fight. du Plessis tried going for the guillotine. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Chimaev 

Here we go! The main event is up next. Dricus du Plessis is one of the most fascinating fighters out there. Khamzat Chimaev was destined to fight for gold since his UFC debut. Who will walk out of Chicago the middleweight champion? 

Murphy got a 50K bonus and may be next for Alexander Volkanovski. 

Lerone Murphy knocks out Aaron Pico 

11:55 p.m. ET: Pico landed vicious left hooks right away. He forced Murphy by the cage. Low kick from Pico followed by a left hook to the body. A choke from Murphy but Pico got out and got control on top. Takedown from Pico followed by elbows. Back up, Murphy landed a spinning kick. Big knee from Murphy. Spinning elbow and Pico is out!  

11:45 p.m. ET: Lerone Murphy vs. Aaron Pico is up next. Pico was once a top Bellator prospect. The knockout artist and wrestler returns to the cage for the first time in almost a year. 

Prates asked and got a 50K bonus and a spot on an upcoming Brazil card from Dana White. Great use of TV time. 

Carlos Prates with a walk-off KO against Geoff Neal 

11:31 p.m. ET: A spinning elbow from Prates seconds before the end of the round ended the fight. Wow! 

11:30 p.m. ET: Prates with a kick to start the fight. Neal with an overhand shot. Spinning kick from Prates. Neal held onto his leg and started tagging Prates. Lefts connected to Prates' face. Prates landed combinations but Neal chased him around and landed shots. Big knee to the body by Prates. He continued to land kicks. A knee connected. A spinning elbow from Prates seconds before the end of the round ended the fight. 

11:23 p.m. ET: Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates is up next. 

Michael 'Venom' Page entertains, looks sharp against Jared Cannonier

11:05 p.m. ET: Page landed combinations. He tried going for an uppercut but missed. Takedown from Cannonier. He controlled the fight on the floor. An elbow from Cannonier and a submission attempt as he finally had the edge in the fight. Page won via unanimous decision. 

10:58 p.m. ET: Page continued to tease Cannonier, who appeared to have swelling by his eye. Combinations forced Cannonier to glide around the floor. Page's hands were down as he had full control. Cannonier landed a takedown but MVP got back up. 

10:53 pm. ET: MVP's unorthodox style is very entertaining. Cannonier pushed Page by the cage. After a while, Page pushed him away. Big overhand shot knocked Cannonier down. MVP then told him to calm down. Back up, Cannonier forced Page by the cage. 

10:45 p.m. ET: Former Bellator contender Michael "Venom" Page competes next against Jared Cannonier. 

Tim Elliott forces former Rizin champion Kai Asakura to tap

10:32 p.m. ET: Asakura got hit with a left in round two. He got hit with another one. They traded shots by the cage. Takedown by Elliott. He reached forward with a shot and landed another takedown. Elliott went for the submission and Asakura tapped! Second straight submission loss for Asakura. Who could have seen that coming? 

10:25 p.m. ET: Asakura looked sharp to start. He pressed forward as the awkward Elliott moved around. Asakura with body shots. He landed flurries, while Elliott landed a nice right. Asakura with a left hook as he continued to fight from the inside. Big knee from Asakura. High kick from Asakura, Elliott held on, and dropped Asakura with a takedown. 

10:15 p.m. ET: Tim Elliott vs. former RIZIN champion Kai Asakura opens the main card. 

10 p.m. ET: The main card has started.

9:46 p.m. ET: Susurkaev looked impressive to start, landing takedowns. Eric Nolan looked great to end the round. Susurkaev choked out Nolan in the second round. What a start for the kid, recovering after dealing with adversity. 

9:30 p.m. ET: Days after earning a contract, Baysangur Susurkaev competes in the main event of the UFC 319 prelims. Pretty wild turn of events.

9:20 p.m. ET: Michal Oleksiejczuk moves to 2-0 since moving to the Fighting Nerds with a TKO win against Gerald Meerschaert. 

9:10 p.m. ET: Gerald Meerschaert vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk is up next. 

9 p.m. ET: Andrade starting throwing haymakers. Godinez continued to press forward, but was losing some gas. They both traded shots until the end of the fight. Godinez won via unanimous decision and has now won two straight. 

8:52 p.m. ET: Both fighters exchanged punches to start. Andrade seemed afraid of takedown attempts from Godinez. She countered with a few flurries. Godinez landed a takedown in the second and took control. On the feet, Godinez landed sharp strikes. Andrade tried to land hard blows, but Godinez is much more calculating. A counter shot by Godinez followed by a takedown attempt. 

8:40 p.m. ET: Former strawweight champion Jessica Andrade is back in action, facing Loopy Godinez. 

8:24 p.m. ET: Alexander Hernandez with a buzzer-beater counter to end Chase Hooper's win streak. Literally seconds before the round ended. Hooper back to the drawing board. Massive win for Hernandez. 

8:16 p.m. ET: Chase Hooper vs. Alexander Hernandez opens up the prelims. 

8:04 p.m. ET: Drakkar Klose defeated Edson Barboza via unanimous decision. The prelims have now begun. 

7:40 p.m. ET: The last fight of the early prelims is next: Edson Barboza vs. Drakkar Klose

7:32 p.m. ET: Karine Silva defeated Dione Barbosa via unanimous decision following an entertaining affair. The second round could have gone either way. 

7:10 p.m. ET: Karine Silva vs. Dione Barbosa is up next. More flyweight action. 

6:54 p.m. ET: Joseph Morales is YOUR Ultimate Fighter. Flyweights forever! 

6:44 p.m. ET: Oh Chicago is already loud and it's the first fight of the night. First event since 2019. Theo Von won't be alone in the crowd tonight.

6:41 p.m. ET: Alibi Idiris vs. Joseph Morales in the finals of The Ultimate Fighter flyweight tournament opens the early prelims for UFC 319.

6:30 p.m. ET: The early prelims have begun. Chicago is ready for a fight night for the first time since 2019. 

Hello everyone, and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of UFC 319!

UFC 319 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

Daniel Yanofsky

Daniel Yanofsky is the Combat Sports Editor for The Sporting News since late 2021. Prior to working for TSN, Daniel provided insight on combat sports for Fightful, FIGHT SPORTS, and Wrestling Inc. A proud Ithaca College alum, when he isn’t working on his golf game, Daniel is advocating for three-minute rounds in women's boxing.

You can follow him on Twitter via @DanYanofsky.