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Khamzat Chimaev Finally Shuts Everyone Up with Historic UFC 319 Beatdown

Originally posted on Total Apex Sports | By Fahad Hamid | Last updated Aug 18, 2025 7:18 AM ET

Well, well, well. Look who’s eating their words now. After years of watching Khamzat Chimaev bulldoze through opponents like a freight train with anger management issues, the doubters finally got their answer at UFC 319. And boy, was it brutal.

Saturday night in Chicago wasn’t just another title fight—it was a masterclass in what happens when an unstoppable force meets a very stoppable object. Chimaev didn’t just beat Dricus du Plessis; he essentially held him down for 25 minutes while breaking every UFC record in the book. Talk about adding insult to injury.

Chimaev Breaks Records While Breaking Hearts

Let’s talk numbers, because holy hell, these are wild. Chimaev landed 529 strikes during his title-winning performance, absolutely obliterating Max Holloway’s previous record of 447. But wait, there’s more! His plus-484 striking differential also shattered Holloway’s mark of plus-312. At this point, you have to wonder if Chimaev was just showing off or genuinely trying to end du Plessis’s career.

The Chechen-Swedish wrecking ball went 12-for-17 on takedowns and controlled du Plessis for a mind-numbing 84% of the fight. Those aren’t just statistics—they’re a public humiliation served on pay-per-view. The scorecards reading 50-44 across the board weren’t just unanimous; they were a mathematical slap in the face.

“I never have a game plan, just go in and work like I do in the gym,” Chimaev said post-fight, which is probably the most terrifying thing a fighter can hear from their opponent. No strategy, no complex tactics—just pure, unadulterated violence

The Cardio Question Finally Gets Answered

Remember when everyone questioned Chimaev’s cardio? Remember when fans and analysts alike predicted he’d fade after three rounds? Well, they can take those predictions and shove them where the sun doesn’t shine. Not only did Chimaev go the distance, but he actually got stronger as the fight progressed while du Plessis looked like he was drowning in quicksand.

Even Israel Adesanya, who had picked du Plessis to win via late TKO, had to eat humble pie. “I thought DDP, okay, maybe round four, he’d be able to stuff the takedowns because Khamzat would get tired. But he didn’t even slow down,” Adesanya admitted on his YouTube channel. Coming from a former champion who knows a thing or two about five-round wars, that’s quite the endorsement.

The most telling moment came in the fifth round when du Plessis briefly managed to get on top and attempt a guillotine choke. For about ten seconds, it looked like he might pull off the impossible comeback. Then Chimaev casually escaped, regained control, and continued his systematic demolition until the final bell. It was like watching someone’s last hope get crushed in real-time.

Du Plessis Shows Class in Defeat

Credit where credit’s due—du Plessis handled his beating with remarkable grace. “All credit to Khamzat. He beat me fair and square,” the now-former champion said. “The man has incredible control on top. It wasn’t a matter of strength; it wasn’t physical; it was almost like he knew what your next move was.”

That’s the mark of a true champion, even in defeat. Du Plessis could have made excuses about Chimaev’s wrestling pedigree or complained about the stylistic matchup. Instead, he gave credit where it was due and promised to return for his belt. Whether he’ll get that chance anytime soon is another question entirely.

The Middleweight Division Gets a New Nightmare

With Chimaev now sitting on the middleweight throne at 15-0, the entire division just got a whole lot scarier. He joins an elite group of undefeated champions that includes Chris Weidman and Adesanya himself. The difference? Neither of those guys made it look quite this easy.

“Division is in good hands,” Adesanya concluded, and you know what? He’s right. Say what you want about Chimaev’s personality or his occasional controversial statements, but the man can fight. And fight at an elite level that makes everyone else look like they’re moving underwater.

What’s Next for the New Champion?

Dana White wasted no time discussing Chimaev’s future, hinting at potential fight dates and matchups. The scary part for the rest of the division? Chimaev looked like he could have gone another five rounds. While du Plessis was gasping for air and desperately searching for an escape route, the new champion looked like he was just getting warmed up.

The United Center crowd may have started the night cheering for du Plessis, but by the end, even they had to respect what they witnessed. This wasn’t just a title change—it was a changing of the guard, a passing of the torch, a wholesale takeover of the middleweight division.

Chimaev’s post-fight celebration was refreshingly humble for someone who just dominated a champion for 25 straight minutes. “I’m going to go back to the hotel, joke with my friends, and enjoy this victory,” he said. No grandiose speeches, no dramatic declarations—just a man who did his job and did it better than anyone expected.

The middleweight division now belongs to Khamzat Chimaev, and honestly? It’s about damn time. The doubters can finally shut up, the critics can find someone else to pick apart, and the rest of the 185-pound division can start figuring out how the hell they’re going to deal with this problem.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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