Khamzat Chimaev cemented his status as a future UFC champion by defeating Dricus Du Plessis for the middleweight title at UFC 319. The Russian fighter’s dominant performance, which earned all three judges’ scores of 50-44 in his favor, showcased his exceptional striking and grappling skills.
Chimaev landed an impressive 529 total strikes, setting a new record for most strikes landed in a single fight. Du Plessis attempted 12 takedowns but was unable to finish the fight, allowing Chimaev to secure the win by decision.
The victory marks a major milestone in Chimaev’s career, opening up numerous options for future title fights at middleweight and potentially even heavier weight classes. His next move remains uncertain, with potential contenders including Nassourdine Imavov, Caio Borralho, and Reinier de Ridder.
In the co-main event, England’s Lerone Murphy secured a highlight-reel knockout of UFC newcomer Aaron Pico, earning himself a featherweight title shot in the process. The win marks Murphy’s biggest victory to date, and he has expressed his desire to challenge Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC title later this year.
Source: https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/45998853/chimaev-dominates-du-plessis-captures-title-ufc-319