Overview

• Khamzat Chimaev dethroned Dricus Du Plessis by unanimous 50-44 scores at UFC 319, piling up 529 total strikes, 12 takedowns and roughly 21 minutes of control.
• Following the win, Chimaev posted “Rdr ☠️” on X and asked to return at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi for a quick first title defense.
• Israel Adesanya praised Chimaev’s improved cardio and said the division is in “good hands,” while Georges St-Pierre’s 2022 assessment that he had “all the skills” resurfaced.
• Du Plessis’ head coach labeled the bout “boring,” but Demetrious Johnson told critics to stop watching if they dislike grappling and Robert Whittaker dismissed such complaints as casual takes.
• The UFC has not announced a challenger, with Reinier de Ridder drawing interest as Chimaev’s callout and the Imavov–Borralho winner in Paris and Anthony Hernandez also discussed by observers.