Khamzat Chimaev’s dominant performance at UFC 319 in Chicago not only earned him the middleweight championship but also a massive milestone in his martial arts journey. Following his decisive victory over Dricus Du Plessis, Chimaev announced during the ESPN post-bout show that he had received his Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt.
The Chechen-born delivered a masterclass in ground control, methodically dismantling the champion through relentless wrestling and suffocating positional dominance. From the opening bell, Chimaev imposed his will, repeatedly taking Du Plessis down and controlling him with a variety of positions, including the rarely seen crucifix position that he maintained for minutes at a time.
“He was stuck to him like Velcro couldn’t get away from him,” observed one commentator, highlighting Chimaev’s exceptional grappling ability. The performance drew comparisons to legendary grapplers like Khabib Nurmagomedov, with analysts noting how Chimaev’s multi-layered attacks made it nearly impossible for Du Plessis to escape. Even when the South African champion defended initial takedown attempts, Chimaev was already transitioning to his second, third, and fourth options.
The judges’ scorecards reflected the one-sided nature of the contest, with unanimous 50-44 scores across the board. Du Plessis, who had previously defended his title twice after winning it from Sean Strickland in early 2024, found himself unable to generate any significant offense throughout the five-round affair. Despite brief moments of resistance, including a late reversal in the final frame, the champion was thoroughly outclassed on the ground.
After going the distance with Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319, Chimaev admitted he felt he should hand back his black belt for failing to secure the finish. In the post-bout interview, he revealed that when his corner called out “30 seconds left,” he went all-in for a finish but made a crucial mistake.
With a laugh, Chimaev said his coach still awarded him the black belt. He also joked that he should give back his black belt for not finishing Dricus Du Plessis.
He said: “I went under last 30 seconds, tried to finish him. I heard my corner say ‘30 seconds,’ that means go and finish him. So I tried, but made a mistake… He gives me the black belt, but I was like when I went under. I don’t have a black belt now. But he gives me respect.”
Chimaev becomes only the third competitor in UFC history to capture the middleweight title with an undefeated record, joining Chris Weidman and Israel Adesanya in this exclusive group. His 15-0 professional record, with 13 finishes, now includes the sport’s most coveted prize and recognition of his elite grappling credentials.
