Dricus du Plessis
South Africa’s UFC Middleweight world champion, Dricus du Plessis, failed to successfully defend his title against Chechen-born Khamzat Chimaev. Du Plessis had no answer to the unbeaten fighter’s wrestling skills and the challenger easily won the fight. All three judges scored it 50-44 in favour of the new undisputed middleweight champion of the world. It was Du Plessis’ third defeat in 23 professional fights, but he has vowed to come back stronger and regain his title.
Chimaev’s Wrestling Masterclass Ends Du Plessis’ Reign
In a one-sided showdown at UFC 319 held at the United Center in Chicago on Saturday, 16 August 2025, Khamzat Chimaev dethroned South African star Dricus du Plessis to claim the UFC middleweight championship. Chimaev, who remains unbeaten with a record now standing at 14-0, showcased his superior grappling and ground control throughout the five-round bout, leaving Du Plessis unable to mount any meaningful offence.
The fight was a grappling clinic from the start. Chimaev wasted no time in taking Du Plessis down in the first round, controlling him on the mat for most of the five minutes and landing short strikes while smothering any attempts to escape. This pattern repeated in every round, with Chimaev achieving multiple takedowns and maintaining top position, often crucifying Du Plessis against the cage or in open space. By the end, Chimaev had set a new UFC record for the most ground strikes in a single fight, underscoring his total domination.
All three judges awarded the bout 50-44 to Chimaev, reflecting a clean sweep of every round. This marked the end of Du Plessis’ title reign after two successful defences—first against Sean Strickland in a split decision at UFC 312 on 8 February 2025, and then a submission victory over Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 on 17 August 2024. Du Plessis entered the octagon with a nine-fight winning streak, but Chimaev’s relentless pressure proved too much.
Post-fight, UFC president Dana White handed out bonuses, with Chimaev earning extra cash for his performance. The event drew a sold-out crowd of over 21,000 fans, generating a gate of more than $15 million, highlighting the massive interest in this clash of styles.
Du Plessis’ Heartbreaking Loss and Vow for Redemption
Dricus du Plessis, known as “Stillknocks” for his knockout power, looked dejected but determined after the defeat. In his post-fight interview, the 31-year-old from Hatfield, Pretoria, apologised to his home country. “I’m sorry, South Africa,” he said, acknowledging the disappointment for fans who had hoped he would extend his championship run. Despite the lopsided scorecards, Du Plessis showed resilience, surviving Chimaev’s ground-and-pound without being finished, a testament to his toughness.
This was Du Plessis’ first loss since 2018, updating his professional record to 23-3. His previous defeats came early in his career, and he had built a reputation as a versatile fighter with 10 knockouts and 10 submissions. A former KSW welterweight champion before moving to the UFC in 2020, Du Plessis captured the middleweight belt in July 2023 by stopping Robert Whittaker. He has vowed to return stronger, saying, “This is not the end. I’ll learn from this and come back to regain what’s mine.” Speculation is already rife about a potential rematch or matchups against top contenders like Whittaker or Caio Borralho.
South African fans expressed mixed emotions online, with many praising Du Plessis for representing the nation proudly despite the setback. One supporter posted, “Woke up to bad news, but Dricus is still our champ at heart. He’ll bounce back.” The loss ends a golden period for South African MMA, where Du Plessis had become a national hero, inspiring young fighters across the country.
Chimaev’s Rise to the Top: From Prospect to Champion
Khamzat Chimaev, the 31-year-old Chechen-born fighter who represents the United Arab Emirates, lived up to his “Borz” (Wolf) nickname with a performance that silenced doubters. Born in Chechnya, Russia, and later moving to Sweden, Chimaev burst onto the UFC scene in 2020 with back-to-back wins in just 10 days. His path to the title included dominant victories over Gilbert Burns, Kevin Holland, and a controversial decision against Kamaru Usman in 2023.
Health issues, including a bout with COVID-19 and weight-cutting problems, had delayed Chimaev’s title shot, but he proved ready at UFC 319. “I told you I would smash him,” Chimaev said in his victory speech, dedicating the win to his family and supporters in Chechnya. He called out potential challengers, with Dana White hinting at a possible defence as soon as December 2025.
Chimaev’s wrestling background, honed in Sweden’s freestyle circuits where he won national titles, was key to his success. He outlanded Du Plessis 248-32 in significant strikes, with most coming on the ground. Experts noted that Du Plessis, despite his Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, had no answer to Chimaev’s smothering top game, which drew comparisons to legends like Khabib Nurmagomedov.
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