Khamzat Chimaev has claimed the UFC middleweight title after defeating South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis in a one-sided contest at UFC 319 in Chicago.
In only his ninth bout under the UFC banner, the unbeaten Russian fighter dominated the five-round championship clash. All three judges scored the contest 50-44 in his favour. From the opening seconds of each round, Chimaev repeatedly took the champion to the ground, controlling the action and landing more than 500 strikes over the course of the fight.
Murphy’s Knockout Statement
In the co-main event, Britain’s Lerone Murphy produced a spectacular spinning elbow to knock out UFC debutant Aaron Pico at 4:59 of the first round. The emphatic win has placed Murphy firmly in contention for a title shot against Australia’s reigning featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.
Prates Calls Out Leon Edwards
Brazilian welterweight Carlos Prates also delivered a dramatic finish, knocking out American Geoff Neal with a spinning elbow in the final second of the opening round. Following his victory, Prates called for a bout with Britain’s Leon Edwards at the upcoming October event in Rio de Janeiro.
Page and Susurkaev Secure Wins
Elsewhere on the main card, British middleweight Michael Page scored a unanimous decision victory over Jared Cannonier after three competitive rounds. Russia’s Baisangur Susurkaev enjoyed a successful UFC debut, forcing American Erik Nolan to submit via rear-naked choke in the second round of the preliminary card’s headline fight.
Other Notable Results
Tim Elliott, Michal Oleksiejczuk, Alexander Hernandez and Joseph Morales also earned stoppage victories on the night.
Full Results from UFC 319:
- Khamzat Chimaev def. Dricus Du Plessis – unanimous decision (50-44 x3)
- Lerone Murphy def. Aaron Pico – KO (spinning elbow), Round 1, 4:59
- Carlos Prates def. Geoff Neal – KO (spinning elbow), Round 1, 4:59
- Michael Page def. Jared Cannonier – unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
- Tim Elliott def. Kai Asakura – submission (guillotine choke), Round 2, 4:39
- Baisangur Susurkaev def. Erik Nolan – submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 2:01
- Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Gerald Meerschaert – TKO, Round 1, 3:03
- Lupita Godinez def. Jessica Andrade – unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
- Alexander Hernandez def. Chase Hooper – TKO, Round 1, 4:58
- Drakkar Klose def. Edson Barboza – unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
- Karine Silva def. Dione Barbosa – unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
- Joseph Morales def. Alibi Idiris – submission (triangle choke), Round 2, 3:04; TUF 33 flyweight final
