Khamzat Chimaev of the United Arab Emirates grapples with Dricus du Plessis of South Africa during their middleweight title bout in UFC 319. Photo: GEOFF STELLFOX/AFP
After one of the most one-sided title fights in UFC history, Russian Khamzat Chimaev has been crowned the new middleweight king, dispatching Dricus du Plessis in a grappling masterclass.
Ruthless Chimaev broke down the champion with merciless takedowns throughout their five-round main event in Chicago, draining DDP from bell to bell, as he cruised to 15-0 inside the Octagon.
Du Plessis' unconventional striking has been an unsolvable puzzle for previous opponents, but the South African had no answers at all for Chimaev's ground game.
Almost the entire fight took place on the mat, with Chimaev locking in crucifixes and raining down punches from above.
A brutal elbow eventually cut the champion open and, despite a late flurry in the final seconds, he was unable to mount any meaningful offence, with Chimaev looking every bit the phenom he's been touted as, since his debut.
Sheer dominance.
Read how the full card played out below.
