Khamzat Chimaev rag-dolls Dricus Du Plessis to win UFC Middleweight gold in Chicago. Full fight results, bonuses, and standout performances.
The UFC put on a stellar show in Chicago on Saturday night and there’s a new king at 185 pounds.
Khamzat Chimaev is the new UFC Middleweight champion, and he did it in the most dominating way possible. For five rounds, Chimaev rag-dolled a massive and sturdy champion in Dricus Du Plessis en route to a decisive victory (50-44 x3).
It was a grappling clinic. The crowd booed loudly during rounds 3–5 and after the fight, but those were boos of ignorance—fans who couldn’t appreciate the artistry from the new champion. No matter, Chimaev is no less champion because of it.
Du Plessis kept fighting and never gave up, but it was clear he had never faced a grappler on this level. Fans should have been booing DDP’s inability to stop the takedown. In any case, there’s a new champion, and this was a stellar card.
Main Card Bouts
Lerone Murphy def. Aaron Pico (featherweight) via first-round KO
Oh my. That’s all many of us in the media section could say after Murphy completely destroyed Pico in the latter’s highly anticipated UFC debut.
Take a look at the finish.
Murphy appears to have secured a title shot with his epic win and an instant bonus—which seems to be a thing now. Both of the bonuses given on the spot were deserving, and Murphy’s performance was the standout of the night—especially considering he did this in a fight he took on three weeks’ notice.
Carlos Prates def. Geoff Neal vs. (welterweight) via first-round KO
The Fighting Nerds continue to be arguably the best gym in the sport, and Prates is one of the prized pupils. He walked through Neal and finished him with a devastating spinning elbow at the buzzer.
It was the second of the night and even more savage than the first. Here’s the finish:
Prates was also awarded a Performance Bonus on the spot.
Michael Page def. Jared Cannonier (middleweight) via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
MVP put on a show without a stoppage. He easily won the first two rounds before poor footing cost him the third. He got the decision, and fans were fired up. The United Center was so loud for him you would have thought he was from Chicago.
