Overview

• Dricus du Plessis posted a lengthy Instagram statement saying he has “absolutely no excuses” for the loss and vowing to come back better.
• Khamzat Chimaev’s unanimous decision win at UFC 319 featured more than 21 minutes of control time and high-volume striking without a single submission attempt.
• Khabib Nurmagomedov said Chimaev’s choice not to hunt a finish was a calculated move to conserve energy and avoid losing position in a title fight.
• Upcoming middleweight bouts—Nassourdine Imavov vs. Caio Borralho on Sept. 6 and Reinier de Ridder vs. Anthony Hernandez on Oct. 18—are being discussed as potential pathways to Chimaev’s next challenger.
• Dominick Cruz assessed the UFC 319 bout as a clear gap in levels and, with contenders already booked, some outlets suggest the champion might not return until 2026, though that remains uncertain.