The judges were unanimous and emphatic: 50-44, 50-44, 50-44, all for Chimaev. The Lone Wolf’s record now gleams at 15-0, a testament to his unyielding will and strategic brilliance. Yet, the Chicago crowd was less than impressed, showering Chimaev with boos after a suffocating, wrestling-heavy performance that left little room for drama—until the final moments.
From the opening bell, it was Chimaev’s world. He blanketed du Plessis, anticipating every move, denying every hope. Du Plessis, reflecting on the fight, confessed: “He was just like a blanket. It wasn’t a matter of strength or physicality—it was as if he knew what my next move would be. He deserved this one 100%.” Only in the dying minutes of the fifth round did du Plessis find a spark, threatening to turn the tide, but it was too little, too late.
Beyond the main event, UFC 319 delivered a night of spectacular violence and spinning artistry. The card was set ablaze when Carlos Prates detonated a spinning back elbow onto Geoff Neal for a knockout at the literal last second of round one—the ninth spinning back elbow KO in UFC history. The crowd barely had time to process that shock when Lerone Murphy replicated the feat, dispatching UFC newcomer Aaron Pico with a spinning back elbow KO in the opening frame, earning both men $50,000 bonuses and a fast track to call out their next opponents. Prates called out Leon Edwards for a Rio de Janeiro showdown, while featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski accepted Murphy’s challenge on social media.
The rest of the main card was a relentless parade of grit and skill: Michael Page outpointed Jared Cannonier in a razor-close decision, while veteran Tim Elliott secured a late guillotine to submit Kai Asakura. The prelims saw finishes galore, from Baisangur Susurkaev’s rear-naked choke to Michal Oleksiejczuk’s first-round TKO.
As the dust settles, Chimaev’s iron grip on the middleweight division feels absolute. But with the likes of du Plessis vowing to return, and fresh contenders spinning their way into the spotlight, the chase for UFC gold is only heating up.