Khamzat Chimaev reacted positively to Nassourdine Imavov's victory at UFC Paris, where Imavov secured a win that positions him as a top contender for the middleweight title, though the final challenger has yet to be determined. Imavov expressed his desire to face Chimaev next, emphasizing his impressive winning streak and his recent victory over Caio Borralho, which he believes qualifies him for a title shot.
Khamzat Chimaev's dominant victory at UFC 319 has set the stage for his next title defense, with top contender Nassourdine Imavov confidently predicting he will be the next challenger, while Joe Rogan highlights Reinier de Ridder as another potential threat in the middleweight division.
Khamzat Chimaev dominated Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319, controlling nearly every aspect of the fight with overwhelming striking, takedowns, and control time, ultimately winning the UFC middleweight title in a lopsided unanimous decision.
Khamzat Chimaev won the UFC middleweight title from Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 with a unanimous decision, joining an elite group of undefeated champions and sparking excitement in the MMA community.
Khamzat Chimaev dominated Dricus du Plessis with ground control and volume strikes to win the UFC middleweight title by unanimous decision at UFC 319, showcasing a one-sided, wrestling-heavy performance that overwhelmed his opponent.
Khamzat Chimaev challenges Dricus du Plessis for the middleweight title at UFC 319 in Chicago, with du Plessis defending his belt successfully. The event features notable fights including Michael Page's victory over Jared Cannonier and Tim Elliott's submission win over Kai Asakura. The fight card includes a mix of title bouts and debut performances, with live updates and results provided.
Dricus du Plessis dismisses size concerns after footage suggested Khamzat Chimaev is significantly taller, emphasizing that size doesn't determine fight outcomes and expressing confidence in defeating Chimaev at UFC Chicago.
Joe Rogan praised Khamzat Chimaev as 'magnitudes greater' than other middleweights ahead of his UFC title fight against Dricus Du Plessis, highlighting Chimaev's exceptional grappling and recent dominant performances, including breaking Robert Whittaker's jaw.
Robert Whittaker expresses disappointment over potential middleweight title fight between Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya, acknowledging the draw of Adesanya and the champion's request for the matchup. Whittaker envisions Adesanya dominating du Plessis for five rounds but also acknowledges du Plessis' toughness and potential to disrupt Adesanya's rhythm. Meanwhile, Whittaker is focused on his own upcoming fight against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC Saudi Arabia.
Robert Whittaker is set to face Khamzat Chimaev in a middleweight main event at UFC Saudi Arabia, viewing it as a title eliminator bout and an opportunity to reclaim the middleweight title. Despite the unexpected nature of the fight announcement, Whittaker is eager for the challenge and excited to be part of UFC's debut event in Saudi Arabia. With both fighters carrying momentum, Whittaker anticipates an honest and historic fight in Riyadh on June 22.
Paulo Costa is determined to secure a middleweight title shot after facing Robert Whittaker at UFC 298, expressing disdain for potential contender Khamzat Chimaev. Costa believes a victory over Whittaker should position him as the next in line for the title, dismissing Chimaev's credentials and expressing a lack of interest in facing him. Meanwhile, Chimaev remains unbooked as Costa gears up for his upcoming fight.
Jack Hermansson is gearing up for a middleweight showdown against Joe Pyfer at UFC Vegas 86, aiming to prove he still belongs at the top of the division. Following a recent loss, Hermansson is focused on securing a victory and potentially facing Nassourdine Imavov next, as he eyes a return to the upper echelons of the middleweight rankings.
Dricus du Plessis claims that Sean Strickland admitted defeat in their title bout at UFC 297, stating that Strickland told him in the cage that he definitely beat him. Despite Strickland's subsequent claims of being robbed due to an illegal headbutt, du Plessis insists that Strickland acknowledged his defeat and even praised him behind the scenes. An immediate rematch seems unlikely, with du Plessis aiming to defend his title against Israel Adesanya at UFC 300.
UFC analyst Laura Sanko agrees with judges' decision to score the UFC 297 main event for Dricus du Plessis over Sean Strickland, citing the significance of immediate damage in scoring criteria. Sanko was impressed with du Plessis' performance in the championship rounds and his ability to handle a longer fight, despite previous concerns. While Strickland may have lost the fight and the middleweight title, his performance showcased his defensive skills and fighting style, leaving a lasting impression.
Israel Adesanya was absent from UFC 297, opting to watch the event from home in Auckland, New Zealand, where he enjoyed the warm weather and relaxed atmosphere. Despite missing the chance to challenge Dricus Du Plessis for his former middleweight title, Adesanya commented on the main event and congratulated Du Plessis on becoming the fourth African champion in UFC history, but also hinted at a future showdown by saying, "I’m still going to test that ass."
