Khamzat Chimaev has established himself as the new ruler of the UFC middleweight division after securing a dominant unanimous decision victory over Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319. The Chechen-born fighter claimed the belt with impressive 50-44 scorecards across the board, showcasing a relentless pace that surprised many observers.
"Not what I expected, but I'm glad Khamzat fixed his cardio, or improved his cardio to the point where he can go five rounds and just ragdoll people," said former champion Israel Adesanya on his YouTube channel.
What stood out most in Chimaev's performance was his ability to maintain high-intensity pressure throughout all five rounds, continuously chaining takedowns and suffocating du Plessis on the mat from the opening bell.
Adesanya, who previously reigned over the division for nearly four years, admitted he had anticipated Dricus du Plessis would potentially gain an advantage in later rounds as Chimaev tired.
"I thought Dricus, maybe round four, would be able to stuff the takedowns because Khamzat would get tired," Adesanya explained.
Instead, Chimaev never slowed down. His conditioning proved exceptional as he systematically broke down the South African champion's rhythm and neutralized his offense.
"He slowed down Dricus which was very impressive," noted Adesanya. "He prepared very well. His gas tank held up."
Interestingly, the victory ended du Plessis' impressive eleven-fight win streak while cementing Chimaev as one of the most dominant new champions in recent UFC history.
For the former champion who watched from the sidelines, the performance left no doubt about the future of the division.
"Khamzat, the new middleweight champion," Adesanya acknowledged. "The division is in good hands."
Can anyone in the middleweight division find an answer to Chimaev's relentless wrestling and newfound cardio? That question now looms large over the 185-pound weight class.
