CHICAGO — Khamzat Chimaev is the new UFC middleweight champion after a dominant, grappling-heavy victory over Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 in Chicago. Despite criticism from some for a style that focused on control rather than significant damage, Chimaev’s performance was more than enough to earn a unanimous decision from the judges, with all three scoring the fight 50-44 in his favor.
The highly anticipated main event at the United Center on Saturday, August 16, saw Chimaev, the undefeated challenger, immediately take du Plessis to the canvas. The new champion’s relentless wrestling and smothering top control kept du Plessis on the defensive for nearly the entire 25-minute bout. In total, Chimaev scored 12 takedowns and had over 21 minutes of ground control time, a testament to his overwhelming pressure.
Chimaev’s victory, which capped off a night of exciting fights, was rewarded with a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus. He was joined in the bonus circle by Lerone Murphy and Carlos Prates, who both secured impressive first-round knockouts with spinning back elbows.
Fighter Payouts: A Look at the Numbers
The financial details of the main event have also drawn significant attention. While official payouts are not disclosed by the UFC, industry estimates and reported past earnings provide a glimpse into the fighters’ potential earnings from UFC 319.
- Dricus du Plessis: As the defending champion, du Plessis was projected to earn approximately $2.5 million. This figure includes a guaranteed base purse of $1 million, with the potential for an additional $1 to $1.5 million from pay-per-view revenue and bonuses. The South African fighter had previously earned an estimated $3.34 million from UFC 312, solidifying his status as a top earner in the promotion.
- Khamzat Chimaev: Payout projections for Chimaev ranged from $1.55 million to $2.3 million. This was based on a potential $750,000 base salary, a $500,000 win bonus, and a share of the pay-per-view revenue, estimated to be between $750,000 and $1 million. Chimaev’s earnings have grown with his profile, with his previous win over Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 reportedly netting him around $1 million.
With this victory, Chimaev remains undefeated with a professional record of 15-0 and has ushered in a new era for the UFC’s middleweight division. His dominance on the ground has fueled speculation about his potential to become a three-division champion in the future.