Khamzat Chimaev cemented his place among the elite at UFC 319, delivering a grappling masterclass to dethrone middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis and claim the 185-pound crown. While his unanimous decision win was dominant from start to finish, it also sparked debate among fans and analysts who questioned why the undefeated Russian didn’t push harder for a finish on the biggest night of his career.
Yet, despite the criticism, Chimaev earned the respect of one of the greatest fighters in mixed martial arts history—Jon Jones. The reigning UFC heavyweight champion had nothing but praise for the new middleweight king, publicly applauding his performance and even hinting at a future training collaboration.
Chimaev’s Dominant Performance at UFC 319
On Saturday night, Chimaev extended his unbeaten record to 15-0, outworking du Plessis with relentless grappling pressure that left the South African champion without an answer. From the opening bell, Chimaev dictated the pace, taking control in the clinch, dictating transitions on the ground, and neutralizing du Plessis’ striking threats.
Judges scored the bout decisively in Chimaev’s favor, awarding him a unanimous decision and making him the new UFC middleweight titleholder. While the victory was one-sided, the lack of a knockout or submission finish drew mixed reactions from fans who had expected more of Chimaev’s trademark aggression.
For the Chechen-born star, however, the win solidified his reputation as one of the most feared grapplers in the sport. And with the belt now around his waist, Chimaev has placed himself firmly in the conversation as one of the UFC’s most dominant forces heading into a new chapter of his career.
Jon Jones Reacts: “His Control Was Outstanding”
Jon Jones, who is widely considered the greatest fighter in UFC history, wasted little time in acknowledging Chimaev’s achievement. Immediately after the fight, he took to social media with a short but powerful message:
“Congratulations,” he wrote, accompanied by a wolf emoji—a nod to Chimaev’s nickname, “Borz” (The Wolf).
Later, Jones expanded on his thoughts, offering high praise for the new champion’s ability to impose his will over du Plessis.
“His control was outstanding, it was a brilliant performance,” Jones tweeted. “I’m sure he’ll take a lot from this dominant showing, and next time we’ll probably see him chase more finishes.”
Jones also revealed his interest in training with Chimaev, suggesting that the two champions could work together to sharpen their skills. Given that Jones is preparing for his own future heavyweight defense, a potential collaboration between the two could generate immense intrigue within the MMA world.
The Backlash: Why Didn’t Chimaev Chase the Finish?
Despite his flawless record and undeniable dominance, some critics weren’t fully satisfied with Chimaev’s approach at UFC 319. Known for his aggressive style and finishing instincts earlier in his career, fans expected him to put du Plessis away rather than settle for controlling the fight.
The middleweight title bout reignited the long-running debate over whether fighters should prioritize safe, strategic victories or go for highlight-reel finishes to cement their legacy. While Chimaev’s performance was tactically sound, it lacked the explosive conclusion that many had come to associate with him.
Still, as Jones highlighted, Chimaev now has room to evolve as a champion. A safe win may have been the right move against a dangerous opponent, but expectations will be higher when he makes his first title defense.
What’s Next for Khamzat Chimaev?
After UFC 319, Chimaev wasted no time in calling for a quick turnaround. The 31-year-old expressed his desire to defend his belt at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi on October 25, hoping to bring the middleweight strap to the Middle East in front of a massive crowd.
UFC president Dana White initially hinted that the date could indeed be an option. However, scheduling issues across the division make an October return highly unlikely.
The top four contenders in the middleweight rankings are already committed to fights:
Nassourdine Imavov vs. Caio Borralho at UFC Paris on September 6.
Reinier de Ridder vs. Anthony Hernandez in the main event of UFC Vancouver on October 18.
With those bouts on the calendar, it appears improbable that any of the winners would be available for a turnaround just one week later to face Chimaev. That leaves the UFC with a potential dilemma—either wait for contenders to free up or consider bringing in a fresh challenger from outside the immediate rankings.
The Bigger Picture: Chimaev’s Reign Begins
For Chimaev, the UFC 319 win represents more than just a championship. It’s a statement that he belongs at the very top of the sport after years of hype and speculation about his potential. His flawless record, combined with his reputation as a fighter willing to take on anyone, anywhere, has built him into one of the UFC’s most marketable stars.
Jones’ endorsement only strengthens that narrative. Coming from a fighter who has faced and beaten multiple generations of champions, Jones’ words carry significant weight. His belief that Chimaev will “chase more finishes” in the future suggests that the best is yet to come.
With the middleweight division stacked with dangerous contenders, and with Chimaev’s aggressive style still evolving, fans can expect fireworks in the coming months as the new champion begins his reign.
