It took means longer than anybody anticipated when he first entered the UFC, however Khamzat Chimaev is formally the middleweight champion. The undefeated Russian fighter placed on a record-breaking efficiency, touchdown 529 complete strikes Saturday in Chicago at UFC 319 in a whole dismantling of now-former champion Dricus Du Plessis.
The co-main occasion and third combat on the cardboard additionally produced a primary. Carlos Prates and Lerone Murphy each completed their opponents by spinning again elbows within the first spherical — in back-to-back fights. Brett Okamoto, Andreas Hale and Jeff Wagenheim provide their takeaways from the highest of the UFC 319 card.
A prophecy is fulfilled
It simply took a bit longer than anticipated.
When Khamzat Chimaev made his UFC debut in 2020, many seen him because the uncrowned middleweight champion simply three fights into his tenure. 5 years later, Chimaev ran roughshod over Dricus Du Plessis with probably the most dominant grappling showcases in UFC historical past. Du Plessis could not keep on his toes longer than 30 seconds at the beginning of the spherical and located himself giving up an absurd 21 minutes, 41 seconds of management time. Chimaev shattered the UFC document for complete strikes landed with 529, cruising previous Max Holloway’s 447 strikes landed towards Calvin Katter in 2021. Additionally, Chimaev’s hanging differential of +484 unseated Holloway’s +312, additionally towards Kattar.
And he completed all of this in a title combat towards the reigning and defending middleweight champion.
With Chimaev lastly taking his place because the king of the middleweights, the query now could be, what sort of fighter could have the flexibility to defeat him? Chimaev has excellent grappling and stable hanging, which is a harmful mixture for the division. Luckily, Chimaev’s path to the title has left him loads of contemporary opponents. Outdoors of Robert Whittaker, Chimaev hasn’t fought a single middleweight within the prime 15. That leaves loads of alternatives for distinctive matchups, together with the grappling brilliance of Reinier De Ridder, the relentless gasoline tank of Anthony Hernandez, the seemingly full bundle of Caio Borralho and present prime contender Nassourdine Imavov.
This opens the door for Chimaev to make a run at turning into one of many biggest middleweight champions in UFC historical past. Ought to he do to the remainder of the division what he did to Du Plessis, an argument might be made that he would surpass Anderson Silva’s six-year reign of dominance. Though this dialog is untimely, the best way Chimaev has dominated the opposition permits the dialog available within the first place.
The one actual problem standing in his means — except for the opponents — shall be his well being. It took 5 years to get thus far as a result of he could not keep lively after a battle with COVID-19. His Visa points seem like behind him and his sole focus will should be on his well being transferring ahead.
Chimaev’s path is obvious to enter rarefied air as one of many biggest MMA champions of all time. He has all of the instruments in a deep division to etch his face on the fictional MMA Mount Rushmore. We at the moment are firmly in The Chimaev Period. — Hale
Lerone Murphy would possibly truly be the boogeyman
All eyes have been on Aaron Pico going into Saturday, and for good motive. Few fighters in MMA historical past have flashed the extent of uncooked expertise Pico has. The 28-year-old has struggled to place it collectively in a cohesive means on the highest stage, nonetheless, and whether or not he ever will is a good query, however it’s not the largest takeaway right here.
Proper now, let’s give Murphy his flowers. As a result of we did not, regardless of his 8-0-1 UFC document, going into Saturday. Murphy has been near good within the UFC, however he did not have that “it” issue. He did not have many finishes. He would not have an apparent, unstoppable side of his recreation, as many champions and title challengers do. However he’s rock stable in all places, and we must always not doubt Murphy when he will get his shot on the featherweight belt. There was plenty of perception that Pico would get a title shot in December towards champion Alexander Volkanovski if he gained. If true, should not Murphy now get it after turning Pico right into a spotlight reel? Volkanovski thinks so.
See you in December @LeroneMurphy congrats #ufc319
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) August 17, 2025
There shall be extra mentioned on Pico and this 12 months’s development of former Bellator MMA stars floundering of their UFC debuts, however the story on Saturday is Murphy. He is legit and this win simply did extra for his inventory than all the final 9. — Okamoto
Prates dazzles throughout and after the knockout
Carlos Prates was a scorching prospect on an 11-fight successful streak when he fought Ian Machado Garry in April. He threatened the undefeated Englishman with a flurry late within the combat however misplaced a transparent unanimous determination, halting his momentum.
He acquired that momentum again to cruising velocity Saturday evening, immediately, brutally and artfully.
Prates’ spinning backfist knocked out Geoff Neal with a second left in Spherical 1. And main as much as the well timed end, Prates fought with unbridled aptitude, transferring across the cage nimbly and choosing aside Neal. It was a efficiency that oozed confidence and an upward trajectory.
However Prates saved his finest for after the combat. Sporting his Combating Nerds glasses for his interview with Joe Rogan (who additionally was sporting the white-tape glasses, courtesy of the Nerd workforce), Prates known as for a spot on the UFC’s Oct. 11 card in Rio de Janeiro, a want that was instantly granted by CEO Dana White. In making his request, Prates even provided up a reputation for the matchmakers to contemplate, calling out former welterweight champion Leon Edwards. Good transfer. Having simply knocked out a fighter in ESPN’s welterweight prime 10, Prates now needs to maneuver as much as the highest 5. He is prepared. — Wagenheim