Khamzat Chimaev beat defending champion Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 in one of the most sought after UFC middleweight title fights in a long time. Chimaev dominated the fight with his wrestling skills. Chimaev used his hallmark grappling pressure and positional dominance to win by unanimous decision (50-44 x3) after five hard rounds. This was his first time winning UFC gold.
This article breaks down each round in detail and provides a full tactical analysis of how Chimaev neutralized the champion and imposed his will from start to finish.
Round 1: Immediate Pressure and Dominance on the Ground
Chimaev made it quite clear what he wanted to do from the start. He didn’t waste any time getting familiarised with his opponent; instead, he went for a takedown just a few seconds into the battle. Du Plessis tried to sprawl and frame off, but Chimaev’s speed and timing were too much for him. The Chechen finished the takedown and quickly slipped into side control, where he started his slow, steady attack.
Chimaev moved into a crucifix position, trapping Du Plessis’s arms and using his free hand to hit him with short, slicing punches to the head and torso. Du Plessis was mostly unable to move for the majority of the round, having trouble getting away or attacking. The South African’s quick grip of the cage got a warning from referee Marc Goddard, but it didn’t stop the fight from moving forward.
Chimaev had a flawless round, controlling every second with strong top pressure and being in a better position.
Round 2: Relentless Wrestling Nullifies Du Plessis’ Striking
Du Plessis tried to kick Chimaev in the head at the start of the second round, hoping to maintain the fight on the feet. However, Chimaev stayed calm and closed the distance with little effort. Chimaev shifted levels again after taking a low kick and got another takedown, dragging the champion to the ground near the cage.
What happened next was almost exactly like what happened in round one. Chimaev got over the guard, moved to side control, and started hitting his opponent with ground-and-pound. Du Plessis tried to move and buck from below, but Chimaev’s weight distribution and wrist control made every attempt useless. Chimaev’s surgical pressure passing stopped Du Plessis from getting back to half guard.
Chimaev controlled the position again and kept up his offensive output, making it an easy round for him.
Round 3: Ground-and-Pound Escalates, Threat of a Finish Looms
In the third round, the tide not only stayed in Chimaev’s favour, but it also looked like getting dangerously close to a stoppage. The challenger took the opponent down quickly again and went back to work from side control. This time, the blows from the top got stronger, and Du Plessis started to get hurt badly, with visible bruising around his eyes and forehead.
Chimaev’s positional grappling was still great as he switched between mount, crucifix, and back control. He threatened a brabo choke at one point and a rear-naked choke at another, but Du Plessis was able to defend himself well enough to keep the fight going.
The round wasn’t just one-sided; it was almost a 10-8 score because of how much damage and control the other fighter had. Du Plessis was still awake and moving around, but Chimaev’s control was clearly having an effect on him.
Round 4: Championship Rounds, Same Story
Fans expected to see Du Plessis come back strong in the championship stages. He was quick to act early in the fourth round, throwing a few hard punches and stopping Chimaev’s first effort to take him down. But that little bit of success didn’t last long.
Chimaev changed his mind in the middle of the sequence, turned the corner on the double-leg, and brought the champion back to the canvas. Chimaev once again took full control of the top and regained his position of power. He was able to move easily between half guard, mount, and side control because he knew how Du Plessis’s defences worked.
Referee Marc Goddard stood the fighters up for a moment, which gave Du Plessis a ray of hope, but Chimaev immediately took him down again. Du Plessis looked quite frustrated as Chimaev suffocated him again with shoulder pressure and short elbows.
The fourth round was another one-sided round that went exactly according to Chimaev’s plan.
Round 5: A Last Stand from the Champion
Du Plessis was well behind on the scorecards going into the fifth round and needed a finish to keep his belt. He came out swinging, and a clean right hand and a kick to the body made Chimaev have to start over. For a while, it seemed like the South African might pull off an upset.
But Chimaev’s commitment to take him down was too much. He ducked beneath a hook and took the fight back to the ground. From the top, he took control again and hit Du Plessis with ground strikes. For a short time, Du Plessis was able to get on top and try a guillotine choke, but Chimaev calmly got away and took back control.
The referee stood them up again with less than a minute to go. Du Plessis landed a few blows, but it was too late. The final horn blew, and Chimaev’s body language said it all: he knew he had won.
Tactical Analysis: How Chimaev Shut Down Du Plessis
This fight was a masterclass in grappling-based control. Chimaev implemented a laser-focused strategy: close the distance early, remove all striking risk, and win every round with positional grappling. He chained takedowns seamlessly, blended judo trips with traditional wrestling, and maintained constant pressure from top positions.
His repeated use of the crucifix and side control left Du Plessis defensively handcuffed. Every time Du Plessis attempted to post or explode to his feet, Chimaev was one step ahead. The champion’s scrambling ability, previously one of his strongest assets, was rendered almost completely ineffective.
Chimaev’s cardio was also on display. Despite five rounds of nonstop pressure, he showed no significant signs of fatigue. His measured approach, pace management, and technical efficiency allowed him to maintain a high level of control without overexerting.
While the fight lacked wild striking exchanges, it delivered a high-level grappling showcase and underlined just how dangerous Chimaev is when executing his game plan. Du Plessis, though tough and durable, was simply outclassed in nearly every department.
