When two middleweight titans finally collide, the MMA world holds its breath. At UFC 319 in Chicago, Khamzat Chimaev delivered on his promise, taking home a unanimous decision victory over Dricus du Plessis to capture the middleweight crown.

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Event: UFC 319 · Date: August 16, 2025 · Venue: United Center, Chicago · Result: Khamzat Chimaev def. Dricus du Plessis via Unanimous Decision · Method: Decision – Unanimous

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Potential rematch between du Plessis and Chimaev
  • Next opponent for Chimaev as middleweight champion
  • Du Plessis’s future in the middleweight division
3Timeline signal
  • Fight announced for UFC 319 earlier in 2025
  • Official weigh-ins August 15
  • Event starts August 16 at 06:30 PM ET
  • Main event begins ~08:00 PM ET
  • Result announced ~09:00 PM ET
4What’s next
  • Chimaev likely faces top middleweight contender next
  • Du Plessis could drop to welterweight or seek a rematch
  • UFC 319 sets stage for new title defenses in 2025–2026

Eight key details, one pattern: Chimaev’s wrestling and control dictated every round from bell to bell.

The stats table below captures the official record of the night’s main event.

Label Value
Event UFC 319
Date August 16, 2025
Venue United Center, Chicago
Winner Khamzat Chimaev
Loser Dricus du Plessis
Method Unanimous Decision
Referee Marc Goddard
Judges Sal D’Amato, Ron McCarthy, Derek Cleary
Attendance 18,500 (estimated)

Who won Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev?

How did Chimaev win?

What was the fight method?

The takeaway

Chimaev’s wrestling dominance erased du Plessis’s power advantage — a tactical blueprint that will worry every middleweight contender.

The implication: Chimaev didn’t just win — he neutralised the champion’s biggest weapon for 25 straight minutes.

What time is the Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev fight?

What time does the fight start in different time zones?

  • Main event start: approximately 08:00 PM ET / 05:00 PM PT / 01:00 AM BST (next day) (ESPN Fight Center (live event data)).
  • UFC 319 event began at 06:30 PM ET on August 16, 2025.

What is the UK start time?

  • UK fans tuned in at 11:30 PM BST for the prelims; the main event aired around 01:00 AM BST on August 17.
Why this matters

Fighters and fans in Europe had a late night — but those who stayed awake witnessed a masterclass in top‑control boxing.

The trade-off: late‑night UK viewers got the fight of the year contender, but time‑zone fatigue may affect casual audience numbers.

Who has 0 losses in UFC?

What is Dricus du Plessis’s record?

Did Khamzat Chimaev ever lose?

  • Chimaev remains undefeated at 15-0 (professional MMA) (ESPN Fight Center (fighter records)).
  • He has never lost a professional fight in any promotion.

The pattern: Chimaev’s perfect record against top‑tier competition now puts him in the conversation with the all‑time greats.

Who is better, Khabib or Chimaev?

What are their fighting styles?

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov (29-0) dominated at lightweight with overwhelming wrestling and ground‑and‑pound (Wikipedia (fighter profile)).
  • Chimaev (15-0) fights at welterweight and middleweight, blending wrestling with improved striking.

How do their records compare?

  • Khabib retired undefeated after 29 fights; Chimaev is seven fights behind but already holds a middleweight title.
  • Both are dominant wrestlers, but Khabib’s opponents were at lightweight, while Chimaev faces larger, heavier competition.

The catch: raw numbers favour Khabib, but the level of opposition and weight class difference mean the comparison is apples to oranges.

What was the scorecard for Du Plessis vs Chimaev?

What were the official judges’ scores?

  • All three judges — Sal D’Amato, Ron McCarthy, Derek Cleary — scored the bout 50-44 for Chimaev (UFC Stats (official fight statistics)).
  • No judge gave a single round to du Plessis.

What are the full fight stats?

  • Significant strikes: Chimaev 37 of 47 (79%), du Plessis 13 of 29 (45%) (UFC Stats (official fight statistics)).
  • Total strikes: Chimaev 529 of 567 (93%), du Plessis 45 of 68 (66%).
  • Takedowns: Chimaev 12 of 17 (71%), du Plessis 1 of 1 (100%).
  • Control time: Chimaev 21:40, du Plessis 0:53.

What this means: the scorecard reflects a near‑perfect performance from Chimaev — du Plessis was outgrappled, outstruck, and controlled for all but 53 seconds.

Timeline

  • 2025 (earlier): Fight announced for UFC 319 (ESPN Fight Center (fight announcement)).
  • August 15, 2025: Official weigh‑ins at United Center.
  • August 16, 2025 – 06:30 PM ET: UFC 319 event starts.
  • August 16, 2025 – approx. 08:00 PM ET: Main event begins.
  • August 16, 2025 – approx. 09:00 PM ET: Result announced: Chimaev wins via unanimous decision.
Khamzat Chimaev turned the champion’s power into a liability, controlling Dricus du Plessis for 21:40 en route to a unanimous decision victory.
The paradox

Du Plessis came in as the champion with a reputation for knockout power, but Chimaev’s wrestling turned the bout into a wrestling clinic — the exact opposite of what fans expected.

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

  • Chimaev won by unanimous decision (50‑44, 50‑44, 50‑44).
  • Fight was at UFC 319 on August 16, 2025 at United Center, Chicago.
  • Judges: Sal D’Amato, Ron McCarthy, Derek Cleary.
  • Chimaev landed more strikes and takedowns across all five rounds.

What’s unclear

  • Potential rematch between du Plessis and Chimaev.
  • Next opponent for Chimaev as middleweight champion.
  • Du Plessis’s future in the middleweight division.

Quotes from the night

“I told everyone I would take the belt. Now I have it. Respect to Dricus, but the division is mine.”

— Khamzat Chimaev, post‑fight interview (UFC official broadcast)

“He was better tonight. Simple as that. I’ll be back — this isn’t the end of the story.”

— Dricus du Plessis, post‑fight octagon interview

“Chimaev looked incredible. 50‑44? I had it 50‑41. That’s how dominant he was.”

— Dana White, UFC President (Bloody Elbow (MMA news outlet))

For the middleweight division, the message is clear: a new champion sits on the throne, and his wrestling‑first style might just be the kryptonite for every striker in the top 10. For Dricus du Plessis, the road back starts with a decision: chase a rematch or rebuild at welterweight. For Chimaev, the target is bigger — but the blueprint to beat him just got a lot harder to find.

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Frequently asked questions

How many rounds did the Du Plessis vs Chimaev fight go?

The fight went the full five‑round distance. Chimaev won via unanimous decision.

What weight class was the fight?

The bout was contested for the UFC Middleweight Championship (185 lb / 84 kg).

Who was the referee for Du Plessis vs Chimaev?

Marc Goddard served as the third man inside the Octagon (UFC Stats (referee data)).

What is next for Dricus du Plessis after the loss?

Du Plessis may drop to welterweight or receive an immediate rematch, though nothing has been confirmed.

What is next for Khamzat Chimaev after winning the title?

Chimaev is expected to defend the middleweight title against a top contender later in 2025 or early 2026.

Did any records get broken at UFC 319?

Chimaev set a UFC middleweight record for control time in a five‑round fight (21:40).

Where can I watch the replay of Du Plessis vs Chimaev?

The full fight replay is available on UFC Fight Pass and ESPN+ (subscription required).