Chimaev’s Grappling Masterclass

From the opening bell, Khamzat Chimaev demonstrated why he’s considered one of the most terrifying prospects in UFC history. Facing the durable and dangerous Dricus du Plessis, Chimaev executed a grappling clinic that left even veteran analysts speechless.

Chimaev wasted no time establishing his dominance, shooting for a takedown just 15 seconds into the first round. What followed was a display of strength rarely seen in the middleweight division. Chimaev lifted du Plessis completely off his feet with a high-amplitude slam that echoed through the T-Mobile Arena.

Throughout the fight, Chimaev’s control was absolute. He transitioned seamlessly between positions, maintaining heavy pressure that sapped du Plessis’ legendary cardio. By the third round, du Plessis was visibly exhausted, offering little resistance to Chimaev’s ground-and-pound assault.

The final statistics painted a grim picture for du Plessis: Chimaev landed 6 takedowns at a 100% success rate, accumulated over 14 minutes of control time, and out-landed his opponent 125 to 32 in significant strikes on the ground.

Dana White’s Reaction

UFC President Dana White was visibly impressed during the post-fight press conference. “What Khamzat did tonight was special,” White stated. “We’ve got a real problem on our hands in the middleweight division because this guy looks unstoppable.”

White confirmed that Chimaev has earned the next title shot against the winner of the upcoming Adesanya vs. Pereira rematch. “There’s no debate here. After a performance like that, against a top-ranked opponent like du Plessis, he’s next in line.”

White also addressed concerns about Chimaev’s weight management, as the fighter has previously struggled to make the welterweight limit. “He looked strong and healthy at 185. This is clearly his ideal weight class. I don’t see him going back down to 170 after this.”

The Shocking Aaron Pico Knockout

While the main event showcased dominance, the co-main event delivered one of the most brutal knockouts in recent memory. British featherweight Lerone Murphy connected with a perfectly timed head kick that left former Bellator standout Aaron Pico unconscious before he hit the canvas.

The knockout was so devastating that medical staff rushed into the octagon immediately. Pico was stretchered out of the arena and transported to a nearby hospital for observation. Early reports indicate he suffered a concussion but is expected to make a full recovery.

Murphy, who dedicated his win to his newborn daughter, showed both excitement and concern in his post-fight interview. “I trained that kick all camp, but you never want to see a warrior like Aaron get hurt. I wish him a speedy recovery.”

The victory propels Murphy into the top 10 of the featherweight division and sets up potential matchups against established contenders like Josh Emmett or Calvin Kattar.

Read: Fever vs Sky – WNBA Showdown

Middleweight Division Implications

Chimaev’s dominant victory creates interesting possibilities in the stacked middleweight division:

• Chimaev is now the clear #1 contender awaiting the winner of Adesanya vs. Pereira
• Du Plessis will likely need at least two significant wins to return to title contention
• Robert Whittaker vs. Marvin Vettori takes on new importance as a potential eliminator bout
• Rising contenders like Brendan Allen and Nassourdine Imavov gain opportunities in the reshuffled division

Several fighters took to social media to react to Chimaev’s performance. Former champion Robert Whittaker tweeted: “That was scary good. Whoever wins our next fight has their work cut out for them.”