Khamzat Chimaev Wins UFC Middleweight Title from Dricus du Plessis in Dominant Fight

Dricus du Plessis lost his UFC middleweight title to Khamzat Chimaev in a dominant display of grappling and wrestling at UFC 319 in Chicago. Chimaev controlled the fight through multiple takedowns and top control, leaving Du Plessis largely unable to mount an effective offense, resulting in a unanimous 50-44 decision. Despite his defeat, Du Plessis apologized to South African fans and acknowledged the superiority of Chimaev's wrestling game. The loss sparked divided reactions in South Africa, with some celebrating the defeat due to Du Plessis' controversial political views, including his support for President Donald Trump, while others expressed sympathy and encouragement for the former champion. Du Plessis' coach Morne Visser reflected on the fight, emphasizing the challenge of overcoming Chimaev's wrestling dominance. The fight marked Du Plessis' first UFC loss since his debut in 2020, ending his nine-fight winning streak.