The world of mixed martial arts is no stranger to historic nights, but UFC 319 etched itself into the sport’s memory in a way few events have. On August 16, 2025, at the United Center in Chicago, Khamzat Chimaev delivered a performance so dominant that even his critics were forced to acknowledge his superiority. His victory over Dricus du Plessis to claim the middleweight championship was not just another line on his undefeated record, it was a defining moment that underscored his place among the elite of the UFC.
The Khamzat Chimaev UFC 319 title win carried implications far beyond the belt. The performance immediately drew reactions from some of the biggest names in MMA, including lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and heavyweight legend Jon Jones. Their comments, though brief, reflected the magnitude of Chimaev’s achievement and highlighted how his rise is reshaping the landscape of the sport.
The Story of UFC 319 Chimaev’s Domination of Dricus du Plessis
UFC 319 was billed as one of the most anticipated cards of the year, with Chimaev challenging du Plessis for the middleweight strap. Du Plessis, known for his durability and awkward striking style, had built a reputation as a dangerous champion capable of grinding out tough victories. Many analysts wondered whether Chimaev’s wrestling-first approach would be enough against someone with du Plessis’s proven toughness.
The answer came quickly and decisively. From the opening round, Chimaev imposed his will with relentless pressure, shooting takedowns with a frequency that immediately put du Plessis on the defensive. Over the course of five rounds, Chimaev successfully landed twelve takedowns out of seventeen attempts, an astonishing number in a championship fight at the highest level. Once the fight hit the canvas, Chimaev demonstrated the suffocating control that has become his trademark, maintaining top position and neutralizing nearly every attempt at offense from his opponent.
What made the performance truly remarkable were the numbers behind it. Chimaev logged over twenty minutes of control time across the fight’s twenty-five minutes, a statistic that speaks not only to his dominance but also to his conditioning and composure. In addition to control, he out-landed du Plessis by more than five hundred strikes, a margin that is almost unheard of in modern MMA. While much of this damage came in the form of short, grinding shots on the ground rather than highlight-reel knockouts, the sheer volume left no doubt about who dictated the fight.
By the time the final horn sounded, du Plessis looked worn down and frustrated, while Chimaev appeared fresh, almost as if he could have gone another five rounds. The judges had an easy task, awarding him a unanimous decision that crowned him the new UFC middleweight champion.
Islam Makhachev’s Reaction Respect from a Fellow Champion
Among the first to respond publicly was Islam Makhachev, the reigning lightweight champion and widely regarded as one of the pound-for-pound best fighters in the world. On Instagram, Makhachev shared a short but telling message: “Congratulations, it was sure (to happen).”
The brevity of the comment belied its significance. Makhachev’s acknowledgment carried weight precisely because of the history between the two camps. In late 2022, a public altercation involving Chimaev and Abubakar Nurmagomedov, cousin of Khabib and close teammate of Makhachev, created speculation of lingering animosity. At the time, tensions spilled over into online exchanges, and many wondered whether Makhachev and his circle would ever openly respect Chimaev’s achievements.
By congratulating Chimaev so directly after UFC 319, Makhachev signaled that whatever rivalries may exist outside the cage, professional recognition comes first. The statement also reflected an understanding of what Chimaev accomplished. Winning a UFC title is difficult; doing so in such dominant fashion is rarer still. For Makhachev, himself a fighter who has built a career on suffocating grappling and calculated dominance, the appreciation for Chimaev’s style was clear.
Fans and analysts immediately drew comparisons between the two. Just as Khabib Nurmagomedov had once reigned with unrelenting control at lightweight, Makhachev has continued that legacy, and Chimaev appears to be doing the same in the middleweight division. Makhachev’s acknowledgment was not just about congratulating a peer, it was an implicit nod to the possibility that Chimaev may be the middleweight counterpart to his own reign of dominance.
Jon Jones’ Reaction A Salute from the Heavyweight King
If Makhachev’s response was meaningful due to shared history, Jon Jones’s reaction carried significance because of his stature in the sport. Jones, long regarded as the greatest fighter in MMA history, is not known for liberally praising his peers. Yet, after UFC 319, he took to social media to post: “Congratulations 🐺.”
The wolf emoji was a direct reference to Chimaev’s nickname, “Borz,” which means wolf in Chechen. For Jones, who has often been the standard against which greatness is measured, this simple message of respect stood out. It was not over the top, but it acknowledged Chimaev as a member of the elite fraternity of champions who dominate at the highest levels.
What made this moment resonate even more was Chimaev’s history of reverence for Jones. In past interviews, Chimaev described Jones as the “scariest fighter in MMA history,” praising his mix of athleticism, unpredictability, and mental toughness. That someone he once openly admired was now congratulating him on a title win added a layer of poetic symmetry to the night.
Jones’s gesture also placed Chimaev in an important conversation. When fighters like Jon Jones offer public recognition, they help legitimize the idea that a rising star is more than hype—that he is on the path to being considered one of the sport’s greats. For Chimaev, still just thirty-one and now undefeated in fifteen professional fights, that kind of endorsement is invaluable.
Mixed Reactions from the MMA Community
While Makhachev and Jones offered their respect, not everyone in the MMA world reacted positively. Chimaev’s style has always divided opinion, and UFC 319 was no different.
UFC President Dana White was effusive in his praise, describing Chimaev’s trajectory as a “rocket ship” that has not slowed since his debut. He emphasized that few fighters in history have risen so quickly through the ranks, building both an undefeated record and a reputation for dominance in such a short period. White’s comments reflected not only Chimaev’s ability inside the cage but also his marketability as a figure who commands global attention.
Other fighters, however, were less impressed. Former middleweight contender Paulo Costa criticized the fight as overly wrestling-heavy, claiming it was “boring” and unappealing to fans who crave striking exchanges and knockouts. Nate Diaz, never shy about sharing his opinions, mocked the performance online, suggesting that controlling an opponent on the ground for twenty minutes was not the type of entertainment fans paid to see.
These criticisms reflected a familiar debate in MMA. On one side, purists value technical mastery, control, and the ability to neutralize elite opponents. On the other, casual viewers and some fighters argue that entertainment value—highlight finishes and dramatic exchanges—should matter just as much as dominance. Chimaev’s UFC 319 performance became a flashpoint for this discussion, highlighting the tension between results and aesthetics in combat sports.
The Broader Significance of Chimaev’s Victory
Beyond the scorecards and immediate reactions, the Khamzat Chimaev UFC 319 title win carries broader implications for his legacy and the sport itself. By defeating du Plessis in such decisive fashion, Chimaev joined the small fraternity of undefeated champions who command attention across divisions.
The parallels to other dominant figures are unavoidable. Just as Khabib retired undefeated after a reign built on relentless control, Chimaev now looks poised to dominate middleweight in similar fashion. Yet unlike Khabib, Chimaev also carries knockout power and a more aggressive personality outside the cage, factors that may help him reach an even broader audience.
His undefeated record now stands at fifteen wins, and his statistical dominance has already placed him in the UFC record books. Analysts have pointed out that his twenty-plus minutes of control time at UFC 319 was one of the highest ever recorded in a championship bout. Combined with his striking differential landing more than five hundred strikes than his opponent, Chimaev’s performance was not merely impressive but historic.
Perhaps most importantly, his victory legitimized him in the eyes of fellow champions. For fighters like Makhachev and Jones to publicly acknowledge his success means that Chimaev is no longer just a rising star he is part of the elite club whose names are etched into the history of the sport.
What Comes Next for Chimaev?
With the belt now around his waist, the question becomes: what is next for Khamzat Chimaev? Potential challengers abound, with names like Sean Strickland and Jared Cannonier floating as possible contenders. There is also speculation about super-fights, perhaps even a clash with welterweight stars who might move up in weight.
Regardless of who he faces, the intrigue lies in whether anyone can solve the puzzle he presents. His blend of world-class wrestling, relentless cardio, and evolving striking makes him one of the most difficult matchups in the UFC today. Until someone proves otherwise, Chimaev’s aura of invincibility remains intact, and his story continues to build toward legendary status.
Conclusion
Khamzat Chimaev UFC 319 title win was more than a championship victory. It was a defining moment that validated years of hype, showcased unprecedented dominance, and earned the respect of legends like Islam Makhachev and Jon Jones. Their reactions symbolized the recognition of Chimaev as not just a champion, but as a fighter on the path to greatness.
While some in the MMA community criticized his wrestling-heavy style, the numbers and the result speak for themselves. Chimaev is now the middleweight champion, undefeated, and standing at the center of the sport’s biggest conversations. Whether fans love or hate his approach, there is no denying that he is one of the most compelling figures in modern MMA.
