Khamzat Chimaev dominated Dricus du Plessis to capture the middleweight crown at UFC 319 in Chicago. He landed 529 total strikes over five rounds, setting a new single-fight UFC record. Despite the historic performance, fans criticized Chimaev’s wrestling-heavy style, creating a mixed response across the combat sports community.
Experts Defend Chimaev’s Grappling Mastery
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker praised Chimaev on his MMArcade podcast. He said fans should admire Chimaev’s control over a relentless opponent like Du Plessis. Whittaker highlighted Du Plessis’ strength, stamina, and resilience, emphasizing that Chimaev’s dominance represents rare championship-level skill.
Former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson defended Chimaev’s style on his streaming channel. He told viewers uninterested in grappling or wrestling to simply avoid watching. Johnson said critics overcomplicate a simple choice, reminding fans they can opt out if Chimaev’s style does not appeal.
Title Defense Looms as Contenders Await
Chimaev has not announced his first title defense date or location. Several top contenders already line up, eager to challenge the new middleweight champion. Fans hope Chimaev has fully recovered from lingering illnesses and can return to compete again before year’s end.
