Khamzat Chimaev lived up to all prior expectations heading into his main event clash at UFC 319. As the dust settled on the affair, fans had much to say about Chimaev’s dominant display against Dricus Du Plessis.
While the fight wasn’t the most entertaining, ‘Borz’ put on one of the most one-sided performances from a challenger in a title fight in company history,
securing the UFC middleweight crown at the first time of asking. The 31-year-old has long been considered a future champion since arriving in the octagon in 2020, and that dream has finally been realized.
After witnessing Dricus Du Plessis get overwhelmed by Khamzat Chimaev for the entire 25 minutes, fellow fighters weighed in on what they witnessed.
Some fighters hailed Chimaev for his work in the cage, believing he will hold UFC gold for years.
“Dricus showed heart but Khamzat Chimaev is on another level right now,” Cejudo said after Chimaev’s dominant showing at UFC 319. “He may very well be champion for years to come.”
Dricus showed heart but Khamzat Chimaev is on another level right now. He may very well be champion for years to come #UFC319
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) August 17, 2025
What an incredible performance by Chimaev! He will be one of the most dominant champions ever.
— Aiemann Zahabi (@Aiemannzahabi) August 17, 2025
Khamzat is an all time great regardless of how you feel he did it he made it look easy doing it his way #UFC319
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) August 17, 2025
The praise continued for Chimaev, who delivered arguably the most dominant performance of his career against a man many thought would pose a real threat.
Wow total domination
— michael (@bisping) August 17, 2025
Chimaev did him like Waffle House, smothered and covered all night long.
— Jason Mayhem Miller (@mayhemmiller) August 17, 2025
Chimaev is treating DDP like a small child. #UFC319
— Will Brooks (@ILLxWillBrooks) August 17, 2025
Chimaev beat DDP with the same pace style and pressure as always! #ufc319
— Dominick Cruz (@DominickCruz) August 17, 2025
Congratulations @KChimaev and Chechnia 🦾🏆
— Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili (@MerabDvalishvil) August 17, 2025
Related: Khamzat Chimaev absolutely dominated Dricus Du Plessis in UFC 319 main event
Despite controlling Du Plessis for the entire matchup, not everybody was impressed by Chimaev’s outing.
Sean Strickland was the most vocal, insisting he is the man to beat the newly-crowned champion.
“I’m probably the only one in the UFC that can out grapple that little wh*re for 5 rounds.”
“Well, looks like I gotta stack some Ws to fight that little b*tch.”
Im probably the only one in the UFC that can out grapple that little whore for 5 rounds….
Well looks like I gotta stack some Ws to fight that little bitch lmao
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) August 17, 2025
NO ONE WANTS TO WACTH THIS SHIT lol. Ppl booing in the arena and at bar 🤣🤣🤣
— Paulo Costa (@BorrachinhaMMA) August 17, 2025
That was hard to watch for 25 mins.
— CrisCyborg.Com (@criscyborg) August 17, 2025
Can’t Fight
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) August 17, 2025
Despite their differences, Themba Gorimbo gave Dricus Du Plessis his flowers following a demoralizing defeat on Saturday.
“I feel for Dricus, unlike him when others lose he jabs at them and sh*t on them.”
“I actually wish he hired Sloane, my wrestling coach from South Africa, and get better.”
“Well Dricus, you were a great champion. Head up.”
Eish I feel for Dricus , unlike him when others lose he jabs at them and sh** on them .
I actually wish he hired Sloane my wrestling coach from South Africa and get better .
Well Dricus you were a great champion.
Head up.— Themba Gorimbo 🇿🇼 (@TheAnswerMMA) August 17, 2025