UFC

Khamzat Chimaev Dominates Dricus to Win UFC Middleweight Title at UFC 319

By LockerRoom Team August 18, 2025

Khamzat Chimaev is the new UFC middleweight champion after defeating Dricus Du Plessis in a dominant five-round performance at UFC 319.

Chimaev, the undefeated No. 3 contender, controlled the fight with relentless wrestling and earned a unanimous decision victory, sweeping the judges’ scorecards 50-44 across the board.

“I’m happy. I’m waiting for my money,” Chimaev said after the fight. “I don’t ever have a game plan. Just go in, work, like I do in the gym. That guy was strong, and I couldn’t finish him. I respect that guy. He’s a real African lion.”

Co-Main Event: Lerone Murphy Stuns Aaron Pico

In the co-main event, No. 6 ranked featherweight Lerone Murphy stepped in on three weeks’ notice against UFC newcomer Aaron Pico. Pico showcased powerful striking early, but Murphy capitalized on timing and delivered a spectacular spinning back elbow knockout at 3:21 of the first round.

“This sport is all about moments, and I created one,” Murphy said. “I took the fight on three weeks’ notice. I believed in myself. I’m next in line. Let’s go, (UFC featherweight champion Alexander) Volkanovski!”

Performance Bonuses

  • Performance of the Night: Khamzat Chimaev

  • Performance of the Night: Lerone Murphy

  • Performance of the Night: Carlos Prates

  • Performance of the Night: Tim Elliott

Official Results – UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev

UFC Middleweight Championship

  • Khamzat Chimaev def. Dricus Du Plessis by unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-44)

Co-Main Event

  • Lerone Murphy def. Aaron Pico by KO (spinning elbow) at 3:21 of Round 1

Main Card

  • Carlos Prates def. Geoff Neal by KO (spinning back elbow) at 4:59 of Round 1

  • Michael Page def. Jared Cannonier by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

  • Tim Elliott def. Kai Asakura by submission (mounted guillotine) at 4:39 of Round 2

Prelims

  • Baisangur Susurkaev def. Eric Nolan by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:01 of Round 2

  • Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Gerald Meerschaert by TKO (strikes) at 3:03 of Round 1

  • Loopy Godinez def. Jéssica Andrade by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

  • Alexander Hernandez def. Chase Hooper by TKO (strikes) at 4:58 of Round 1

  • Drakkar Klose def. Edson Barboza by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

  • Karine Silva def. Dione Barbosa by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

  • Joseph Morales def. Alibi Idiris by submission (triangle choke) at 3:04 of Round 2