UFC 319 Results: Chimaev’s Domination, Spinning Elbows, and a Night to Remember for Aussie Fight Fans
The UFC never fails to deliver drama, and UFC 319 in Chicago was a reminder of why mixed martial arts continues to capture global attention—including here in Australia. From a new champion being crowned in the main event, to highlight-reel knockouts and slick submissions on the undercard, fans were left buzzing.
For Australian fight enthusiasts, the big question is: what do these results mean for the middleweight division, and how will the UFC’s global momentum shape the sport Down Under? Let’s break down the event in detail.
Chimaev vs. Du Plessis – The Main Event Story
The headline bout saw Khamzat Chimaev challenge Dricus Du Plessis for the UFC Middleweight Championship. Heading into the fight, Du Plessis was undefeated at middleweight and known for his power striking and unorthodox style. Chimaev, on the other hand, brought an aura of menace with his relentless wrestling and suffocating ground control.
From the opening bell, Chimaev set the tone. He wasted no time shooting for takedowns, and once he got hold of Du Plessis, he imposed his trademark style. Across five rounds, the pattern was consistent: Chimaev closed the distance, dragged the South African down, and maintained top control.
The numbers told the story:
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12 successful takedowns out of 17 attempts
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Over 21 minutes of ground control
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529 total strikes landed compared to just 45 for Du Plessis
It wasn’t flashy, but it was brutally effective. The judges had no choice but to award Chimaev a unanimous decision victory (50–44 across all three scorecards).
Mixed Reactions from Fans
While Chimaev’s dominance was undeniable, not everyone was thrilled. A significant section of the live crowd and online audience voiced frustration over the wrestling-heavy approach. Many fight fans, including Australians who often prefer striking battles, found the performance one-sided and lacking in excitement.
Still, the result cements Chimaev as the new king at 185 pounds. His win raises an intriguing question for Aussie fans: could we one day see him defend his belt on Australian soil, perhaps against Robert Whittaker or another Oceania-based contender?
Spinning Elbows Steal the Show
If the main event was methodical, the undercard gave fans all the fireworks they could ask for. Two spinning back elbow knockouts electrified the night, instantly earning “highlight reel” status.
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Lerone Murphy vs. Aaron Pico: Murphy stunned the crowd in Round 1 with a perfectly timed spinning back elbow that left Pico unconscious. It was a brutal reminder of how quickly MMA fights can end, and it showcased Murphy’s precision striking.
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Carlos Prates vs. Geoff Neal: In a case of déjà vu, Prates delivered the same technique earlier in the night, stopping Neal with another spinning elbow in Round 1. Seeing two fighters pull off the same spectacular finish on one card was something truly rare.
These knockouts will be replayed for years and will no doubt inspire up-and-coming strikers in gyms across Australia.
Submission Magic – Tim Elliott Shines
It wasn’t all about striking. Veteran Tim Elliott reminded everyone of the beauty of grappling with his slick submission victory over Kai Asakura. Elliott secured a mounted guillotine choke in the second round, forcing the tap and earning himself a Performance of the Night bonus.
For Australian fans, Elliott’s win highlighted the importance of adaptability. In a sport where power punches often make headlines, the ability to mix in world-class submissions is what makes MMA so unpredictable.
Other Key Results from UFC 319
Beyond the big finishes, the card was stacked with action-packed bouts:
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Michael “Venom” Page scored a decision win over veteran Jared Cannonier, using his unorthodox striking to keep the judges on his side.
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Lupita Godinez edged out former champion Jessica Andrade in a hard-fought unanimous decision.
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Michal Oleksiejczuk earned a TKO victory against Gerald Meerschaert, proving once again that his aggressive style makes him a dangerous opponent for anyone.
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Alexander Hernandez overwhelmed Chase Hooper to secure a TKO, while Drakkar Klose picked up a points win against seasoned striker Edson Barboza.
Every fight on the card had moments of drama, but it was clear that the story of the night revolved around Chimaev’s coronation and the back-to-back spinning elbow knockouts.
Bonus Winners
UFC President Dana White handed out the Performance of the Night bonuses to:
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Khamzat Chimaev (for his dominant title-winning performance)
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Lerone Murphy (spinning elbow KO)
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Carlos Prates (spinning elbow KO)
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Tim Elliott (guillotine submission)
Each of these fighters not only pocketed extra cash but also boosted their profiles significantly.
What UFC 319 Means for Australia
For fans in Australia, UFC 319 carried several takeaways:
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Chimaev’s Reign Begins – With Israel Adesanya no longer holding the middleweight title, Aussie and Kiwi fans are eager to see whether Robert Whittaker, or even a rising Oceania talent, might one day challenge Chimaev.
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Striking Still Sells – The biggest cheers of the night came for spinning elbow knockouts. Australians, who traditionally admire aggressive strikers like Mark Hunt and Alexander Volkanovski, will have loved those moments.
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Global Stage for MMA – Events like UFC 319 highlight how international the sport has become. From a Swedish-born Chechen champion to British and Brazilian winners, the UFC is as global as ever—and Australia is right in the mix.
Looking Ahead
The UFC will now look to build on the momentum from UFC 319. For middleweight fans, the key question is: who challenges Chimaev next? Will Du Plessis earn a rematch, or will a fresh contender step up?
From an Australian perspective, the spotlight inevitably turns to Robert Whittaker, who has long been the country’s biggest middleweight name. A future clash between Whittaker and Chimaev would generate massive buzz not just internationally, but also for Aussie fight fans who have followed “The Reaper” for years.
Final Thoughts
UFC 319 was a card of contrasts: a dominant but polarising title win, paired with some of the most spectacular knockouts we’ve seen in recent memory. While opinions may differ on Chimaev’s wrestling-heavy approach, there’s no denying his effectiveness.
For Australians, the event was a reminder of why MMA continues to grow rapidly here. It offered everything fans crave—elite grappling, brutal striking, and unpredictable moments that can change a fight in an instant.
As the UFC machine rolls on, UFC 319 will be remembered as the night Khamzat Chimaev became middleweight champion and two spinning elbows lit up the fight world. And for Aussie fans, it’s another sign that the sport we love is only getting bigger and better.
