A middleweight title struggle between champion Dricus Du Plessis and the unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev headlined Saturday’s UFC 319 struggle card.
Each males have been undefeated contained in the octagon. Du Plessis was using an 11-fight profitable streak and hadn’t felt defeat since October 2018. Chimaev had steamrolled most of his opponents main as much as Saturday’s showdown on the United Middle in Chicago.
After an intense face-off, the struggle started. They touched gloves and Chimaev instantly shot for a takedown. He secured a double leg and moved to aspect management. Chimaev trapped on arm. He put the champion in a crucifix and hammered away with left palms. Du Plessis was unable to defend himself however Chimaev brief punches weren’t doing harm. Du Plessis bought his arms free and held on. Chimaev remained in aspect management. Du Plessis reversed Chimaev however Chimaev regained high place within the closing seconds. The opening spherical was dominated by the challenger.
Du Plessis went excessive with a kick to begin the second however it was blocked. Chimaev shortly labored to get the struggle to the bottom. He was profitable. Du Plessis rose to his toes however was pulled again to the canvas. Chimaev delivered knees to the physique as Du Plessis stayed on a knee. Chimaev briefly seemed for a rear-naked choke however Du Plessis defended the submission try. Chimaev dominated the second spherical. If he have been capable of do extra harm, the primary two rounds might have been scored 10-8.
Du Plessis landed to the physique with a entrance kick. Chimaev answered with a rig ht hand. He modified ranges the put the champion on his again. Chimaev moved to aspect management. Chimaev put Du Plessis in a crucifix. Du Plessis had no reply for Chimaev’s grappling. Chimaev delivered brief punches. Du Plessis desperately tried to get out of the place. Chimaev related with an elbow and began to land heavier pictures. Chimaev superior to the mount. Du Plessis gave up his again. Chimaev was merely on one other stage by way of the primary three rounds.
Du Plessis fended off his first takedown however Chimaev relentlessly saved the strain on and secured the takedown. On the bottom, Du Plessis had nothing for the Chechen. Du Plessis stood solely to be pulled again to the canvas. Du Plessis labored to face however could not free himself of Chimaev. Du Plessis tried to roll however Chimaev moved to aspect management and remoted an arm. Du Plessis bought his arm free however Chimaev remained in aspect management. The referee stood them up. Chimaev shortly put Du Plessis again on the bottom. A champion hasn’t been dominated to this extent in a really very long time.
Chimaev went excessive with a kick however it was blocked. Du Plessis pressed ahead and landed a proper hand. Chimaev modified ranges and took Du Plessis down. He once more put the champion in a crucifix. Du Plessis bought his arms free however Chimaev remained in full management. Du Plessis exploded and reversed Chimaev. He utilized a guillotine choke however Chimaev popped his head out and regained to place.
The referee stood them up with simply over a minute remaining. Du Plessis pressed ahead with a mix. Chimaev seemed for a takedown however Du Plessis stuffed the try. Chimaev labored for one more takedown however Du Plessis ended on high and within the mount. Chimaev rolled and regained high place on the bell.
The judges scored the struggle for Chimaev by way of unanimous choice. All three scorecards learn 50-44.
