Overview

• Chimaev defeated two-time champion Dricus Du Plessis by unanimous decision at UFC 319, landing 529 strikes, securing 12 takedowns and logging roughly 21 minutes of top control.
• Israel Adesanya, Daniel Cormier and Michael Bisping lauded Chimaev’s endurance and tactical mastery, with Adesanya declaring the middleweight division “in good hands.”
• Du Plessis’ head coach condemned the prolonged ground game and low rate of significant strikes as “boring,” echoing a split reaction among fans.
• Contender Nassourdine Imavov staked his claim for the next title shot on social media and Chimaev has signaled he aims to defend at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi this October.
• Olympic wrestling champion Abdulrashid Sadulaev praised Chimaev’s “absolute domination” on Instagram, affirming that the win answered lingering doubts about his cardio and championship legitimacy.