UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev — A Night That Redefined Dominance

 UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev — A Night That Redefined Dominance


August 16, 2025, the United Center in Chicago erupted once again when the Ultimate Fighting Championship returned to the city after a long time with UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev, filled with nail-biting finishes, up-and-comers, and a new champion crowned .


Main Event: A New King in the Middleweight Division

In the main event, unbeaten contender Khamzat Chimaev (15-0) met defending middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis (23-3). Showing no mercy, Chimaev made the fight a demonstration of grappling dominance. ESPN statistics show that he recorded 12 takedowns—second most in any UFC middleweight fight—and directed the action on the ground for 21 minutes and 40 seconds, almost 88% of the bout.


Judges gave Chimaev a unanimous decision — 50-44 on every scorecard — making him the new UFC middleweight champion.



Though brutally defeated, Du Plessis wasn't left in the lurch. His fiancée, Vasti Spiller, offered warm encouragement on Instagram, labeling him "My world" — a sentimental touch amidst a grinding contest otherwise. 


Crowd Reaction:


 Respect Meets Resentment

Crowds at the United Center found themselves torn. Chimaev's ruthless ground game delivered the gold — but not the excitement many fans crave. Booing echoed through the arena as viewers criticized the fight’s lack of striking and dramatic flair. On social media, some rants were unequivocal


The Co-Main and Rising Stars: Electric Finishes Ignite the Card


Though the headliner favored dominance over spectacle, the rest of the card provided fireworks.


Lerone Murphy stunned the crowd with a brutal spinning back elbow KO of Aaron Pico in the first round of the co-main event. The highlight instantly created chatter of a featherweight title shot. 


No. 12 welterweight Carlos Prates also made headlines by finishing No. 11 Geoff Neal with the same spinning back elbow—just as the round was about to close. His offbeat post-fight press conference had UFC president Dana White chuckling when Prates lit a cigarette—a strange and unforgettable scene. Prates, Chimaev, Murphy, and Tim Elliott all received a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.


Other Notable Performances


Tim Elliott won an upset by guillotine choke submission against Kai Asakura in round two — another 50K performance for him.


On the undercard, some fighters made some waves:


Baisangur Susurkaev submitted Eric Nolan with a rear-naked choke (R2).


Michal Oleksiejczuk won by first-round TKO against Gerald Meerschaert.


Loopy Godinez outpointed Jessica Andrade.


Alexander Hernandez knocked out Chase Hooper.


Drakkar Klose defeated veteran Edson Barboza by unanimous decision.


Joseph Morales and Alibi Idiris battled to a second-round triangle choke victory for Morales.


Attendance & Financials: Successful Homecoming in Chicago

The 20,023 sold-out crowd assisted in generating gate revenue over $11 million, making UFC 319 the highest-grossing event in United Center history.


What It Means: Changing MMA Landscape


Chimaev's victory isn't merely about gold—it's about remaking the middleweight division. His supremacy sets him up for possible challenges at multiple weight classes, with rumors swelling on a brazen attempt at welterweight and light heavyweight titles. 


Lerone Murphy made the jump to top challenger at featherweight with his brutal KO, set to lead to a title fight later this year — perhaps even against incumbent champion Alexander Volkanovski .


Carlos Prates's late-round KO and press conference shenanigans provided fans with a new wild card to keep an eye on — a man as erratic as he is potent, and happy to buck the trend.


Tim Elliott's comeback momentum in the flyweight division highlights the worth of experience and grit over hype.


 

Highlight Reel: Quick Results Recap


Fighter Decision Standout Moment

Khamzat Chimaev Def. Du Plessis (UD, 50-44) Grappling masterclass — new middleweight champ

Lerone Murphy KO vs. Aaron Pico (rotary elbow, R1)Instant contender, tends of the night

Carlos Prates KO vs. Geoff Neal (rotary elbow, R1)Post-fight cigarette moment, fan-favorite shocker

Tim Elliott Submission vs. Kai Asakura (R2)Veteran silence with guillotine choke

Others (Susurkaev, Oleksiejczuk, Godinez, Hernandez, Klose, Morales) Wins Undercard excitement through weight classes


Conclusion: UFC 319 — A Night of Paradigm Shifts


UFC 319 served up a mix of dominance, panache, and surprises. Khamzat Chimaev came out as cold and calculating new champion, resetting expectations of what a fighter is capable of with flawless wrestling and management. While electrifying finishes by Murphy, Prates, and Elliott provided the spice purists crave.


Chicago's victorious return to the UFC schedule wasn't merely a nostalgia trip—it was a platform for new directions, new grudges, and lone stars poised to carve out a new MMA landscape.


Tune in; fight nights aren't this interesting every day.

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