Main Event: Chimaev Becomes New Middleweight Champion
Khamzat Chimaev delivered an emphatic performance to dethrone Dricus Du Plessis, securing the UFC Middleweight Championship via unanimous decision (50-44 on all scorecards).
From the opening seconds, Chimaev asserted control:
- He landed 12 takedowns out of 17 attempts, dominated total strikes 529 to 45, and smothered Du Plessis with suffocating top pressure.
- He utilised positional dominance through crucifix, mount, and side control, threatening submissions while battering the champion with relentless ground-and-pound.
- In the process, he set a UFC record for total strikes landed at 529, surpassing the legendary mark previously held by Max Holloway.
While dominant, Chimaev’s strategy drew mixed reactions—some praised his sheer dominance, while others criticised the wrestling-heavy approach as “boring.”
Highlight Performances & Signature Finishes
Lerone Murphy vs Aaron Pico
In the co-main, Murphy stunned the arena with a first-round knockout via spinning back elbow—a finish so emphatic he immediately called for a featherweight title shot against Alexander Volkanovski.
Carlos Prates vs Geoff Neal
Prates delivered another jaw-dropping spinning back elbow KO in the opening round, echoing Murphy’s highlight and electrifying the cage.
Michael “Venom” Page vs Jared Cannonier
Page executed a tactical and precise game plan to outpoint Cannonier, earning a unanimous decision win in a masterclass of movement and striking control.
Tim Elliott vs Kai Asakura
Elliott capitalised on his wrestling to secure a second-round submission via mounted guillotine choke, extending his reputation as a durable and dangerous grappler.
Other Notable Results
- Michal Oleksiejczuk scored a first-round TKO over Gerald Meerschaert with powerful strikes.
- Loopy Godínez pulled off a unanimous decision win against the ever-dangerous Jessica Andrade.
- Alexander Hernandez dismantled Chase Hooper with a first-round knockout via punches.
- Drakkar Klose edged out Edson Barboza in a unanimous decision, pulling off a solid upset.
- Strong debut performances included submission wins from rising talents Baisangur Susurkaev and Joseph Morales.
Overall Impressions & Key Takeaways
1. Smothering Grappling vs Striking Spectacle
The main event was a showcase of wrestling dominance, while the rest of the main card offered some of the year’s most spectacular knockouts.
2. Legacy Cemented
Chimaev’s performance wasn’t just dominant—it was historic. Between takedown volume, strike output, and efficiency, he stamped himself as a legitimate elite in the middleweight division.
3. Fan Reaction Was Split
While fans admired Du Plessis’s heart, many voiced frustration at the lack of striking drama in the title fight compared to the rest of the card.
4. Rising Stars and Rematch Potential
Murphy’s elbow finish catapults him into title contention. Prates and Godínez banked memorable victories that reshape their divisions. Du Plessis, meanwhile, remains a dangerous contender should a rematch ever materialise.
Final Verdict
UFC 319 was an electrifying night—a blend of suffocating grappling, highlight-reel knockouts, and tactical striking. Chimaev’s emergence as champion was the undeniable story, but the card as a whole delivered fireworks from start to finish.
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