Khamzat Chimaev Defeats Dricus du Plessis by Unanimous Decision – New UFC Middleweight Champion

Date: August 17, 2025
By TopBetZA

Khamzat Chimaev Defeats Dricus du Plessis

The Lone Wolf has risen to the top! Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) defeated Dricus “Stillknocks” du Plessis via unanimous decision to become the new UFC Middleweight Champion of the World at UFC 319.

Fight Recap – Chimaev Outlasts Du Plessis

• Judges’ scorecards: 49-46, 49-46, 48-47 all in favor of Chimaev.
• Chimaev’s relentless grappling and striking control neutralized Du Plessis’ power punches.
• Du Plessis showed toughness and landed clean shots, but couldn’t stop Chimaev’s pace.

The five-round war solidified Chimaev as one of the UFC’s most dominant athletes and officially ended Du Plessis’ reign at middleweight.

Betting Recap – How the Odds Shifted

• Pre-fight odds:
  • Khamzat Chimaev: 1.65 favorite
  • Dricus du Plessis: 2.30 underdog
• Betting outcome:
  • Bettors backing Chimaev cashed in at short odds.
  • Du Plessis backers missed out, but many predicted a KO/TKO — which didn’t come.
  • The “Fight to Go the Distance” market was a huge win, paying out nicely for punters who saw both fighters lasting 5 rounds.

What’s Next for Bettors?

Chimaev’s victory shakes up the middleweight division, and sportsbooks are already lining up future betting markets:

• Potential Next Opponents:
  • Israel Adesanya (possible title fight return)
  • Sean Strickland (grudge match potential)
  • A Du Plessis rematch (especially if demand grows in South Africa)
• Future Betting Angles:
  • Will Chimaev defend successfully in his first title defense?
  • Can Du Plessis rebound and become a two-time champion?

Fan & Betting Community Reactions

The MMA betting community lit up on social media after the fight:

• “Chimaev ML tickets cashed Easy money!”
• “I had Du Plessis by KO… so close but not enough .”
• “Fight went the distance at 2.90 odds cashed big!”

Final Thoughts – A New Era at Middleweight

Khamzat Chimaev’s win over Dricus du Plessis marks the start of a new betting chapter in the UFC middleweight division. Whether you backed the favorite or rolled with the underdog, this fight was a reminder that UFC betting is all about timing, value, and smart picks.

Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev – UFC 319 Showdown