At UFC 319 held at the United Center in Chicago, Khamzat Chimaev defeated Dricus Du Plessis by unanimous decision to claim the UFC Middleweight Championship. Chimaev, who remains undefeated with a combined record of 32-0 alongside fellow undefeated champion Ilia Topuria, dominated the five-round bout, controlling Du Plessis for 21 minutes and 40 seconds. He landed 529 strikes while absorbing only 45, secured 12 takedowns, and was taken down only once. The judges scored the fight 50-44 across all three scorecards in favor of Chimaev. This victory dethroned Du Plessis, who had been defending his middleweight title. The fight was noted for Chimaev's relentless wrestling and striking superiority, earning him the moniker "King of the Middleweights." The event also featured other notable fights, including Baisangur Susurkaev's successful UFC debut by submission in Round 2. Chimaev's performance at UFC 319 has been described as a dominant display, signaling a new era in the middleweight division.