UFC 319: Du Plessis Loses Title As Chimaev Becomes New Middleweight Champion, SA Left Disappointed
- Khamzat Chimaev has dethroned Dricus du Plessis to become the new UFC middleweight champion after defeating the SA fighter at UFC 319
- The Russian-born fighter used his strength and skill as he dominated the defending champion from start to finish in the bout on Sunday morning
- Mzansi MMA fans were heartbroken and disappointed after middleweight title belt leaves DDP's possession after his fight in the United States
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South Africans were disappointed as Dricus du Plessis was dethroned as the UFC middleweight champion after losing to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 in Chicago early Sunday morning.
The Russian-born MMA star made it look easy, repeatedly taking the SA fighter down at will and dominating the majority of the 25-minute contest.
Khamzat was rated as the favourite to win the bout by the bookies and so many pundits ahead of the fight, and he didn't disappoint when facing the defending champion in the United States of America.
Chimaev defeats Du Plessis to become the new champion
Chimaev wasted no time asserting dominance, securing a takedown within seconds of the opening bell. He quickly transitioned to a crucifix position, trapping Dricus du Plessis and landing a steady stream of short punches.
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The defending champion found himself pinned under Khamzat’s pressure and was visibly frustrated, resorting to grabbing the fence in a desperate attempt to escape.
Du Plessis momentarily threatened with a guillotine as he scrambled to his feet, but it backfired, and he ended the round on his back. While DDP managed to survive the round, the ease with which Chimaev took him down raised serious concerns.
Chimaev continued to dominate the grappling exchanges, changing levels early and taking Du Plessis’ back before dragging him to the canvas once again.
He worked methodically to secure a rear-naked choke, but Du Plessis defended well and avoided the submission. Still, the champion remained stuck on the ground, unable to create any separation or return to his feet. Through two rounds, Du Plessis had no answers for Chimaev’s relentless wrestling with the Russian-born, leading 20-18 at the end of the second round.
Chimaev wasted no time once again in round 3, scoring a takedown just 10 seconds into the round and moving into side control at the centre of the Octagon. He quickly locked in a crucifix position, leaving Du Plessis helpless beneath him.
The champion’s only response was pure survival as Chimaev landed a brutal elbow, followed by a series of relentless punches.
Du Plessis eventually freed one arm, but Chimaev seamlessly transitioned to back control and continued hunting for a rear-naked choke. DDP defended the submission until the horn, but it was another round of total domination.
Khamzat continued his dominance as the third round ended with a score of 30-27 in favour of the Emirati fighter.
In Round 4, after just 20 seconds in, Chimaev secured yet another takedown, returning the fight to a now-familiar scene on the canvas. Du Plessis managed to briefly return to his feet, but Chimaev dragged him down again with ease. A scramble led to Du Plessis rolling to his back, only for Chimaev to regain crucifix control.
The champion appeared exhausted and mentally drained, offering little resistance. Surprisingly, the referee stood them up despite Chimaev maintaining a dominant position. It didn’t matter; Chimaev immediately shot in for another takedown, reasserting control. After four rounds, Du Plessis had done little more than survive under the relentless pressure.
In a slight surprise, it took Chimaev a full 30 seconds to secure his first takedown of the round, once again moving directly into crucifix control. He briefly threatened an Americana submission, but Du Plessis managed to escape. Chimaev transitioned to back control as the crowd began to jeer the lack of action. Then, a flicker of life from the champion—Du Plessis reversed the position and landed in Chimaev’s guard, showing he wasn’t ready to quit. He went for a desperate guillotine attempt, but Chimaev calmly slipped his head free.
With 90 seconds remaining, the referee stood them up, and for the first time, the two traded on the feet.
Du Plessis landed a clean right hand that caught Chimaev’s attention, but the new champion responded with a jab and shot for another takedown, but DDP squeezed it and ended up on top.
In the final moments, Du Plessis attempted a rear-naked choke, but Chimaev defended well until the final bell to secure the title.
Mzansi reacts to DDP's loss to Chimaev
M_Phakisho said:
"I'm gonna watch this 2 more times, just to see this liar getting beaten 3 times."
emmanuel1766013 wrote:
"I watched the whole fight. They mooered him like a small child. Very disappointing 🚮."
BlackCrip implied:
"He was just not beat he was Dominated."
Bassil_Sabelo shared:
"Well done Khamzat, he went preaching on an international stage about farm attacks."
Geen commented:
This weekend was bad for south African sports, proteas and springboks were chowed by Australians yesterday and today our champ is beaten by Khamzat😢"
Tech_carnly added:
"That sport is difficult to make sense 😕 you kind of lock someone and jab them with fists, hayi suka."
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Source: Briefly News
