Khamzat Chimaev breaks silence on his in fight message to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 and it could change how the fight is viewed

Khamzat Chimaev walked into the octagon with full confidence on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, for his middleweight title clash against Dricus du Plessis. The 31-year-old fighter from the United Arab Emirates put on a dominant performance from the first round itself. Just seconds after the opening bell, Khamzat Chimaev downed Dricus du Plessis and dominated the ground fight. Millions of viewers all around witnessed one-sided action with Khamzat Chimaev not only delivering elbows and punches but also having a brief conversation with his opponent and the head coach of his opponent.Khamzat Chimaev clearly showed he was in charge in his five-round matchup with Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 on Saturday night, in Chicago, Illinois. In response to a question about what he was saying in the middle of the fight, during the post-fight press conference, Chimaev was quick to tell reporters that when he had Dricus du Plessis on the ground, he wanted to take a second to talk to him and his coach.Khamzat Chimaev said, “I had some cool time in there. I just spoke with him, spoke with his coach in the middle of the fight. I said, ‘Good job, work harder, guys.’”The middleweight champion also confirmed that he never felt under pressure at any moment of the fight. The conversation happened in the second round, right when he was landing elbows from the crucifix position.Khamzat Chimaev Defends Baysangur Susurkaev And Warns Eric Nolan In Shocking UFC 319 Presser Clash With Dricus Du PlessisDricus du Plessis entered the fight hoping to defend the middleweight title in front of the Chicago crowd. The South African champion had immense difficulties escaping the takedowns from Khamzat Chimaev. In total, according to the UFC fight statistics, Khamzat Chimaev completed 21 minutes and 40 seconds of ground control in the fight. Khamzat Chimaev also set a new UFC record for total strikes delivered in a single fight with 529. After the final bell, the judges scored the fight 50-44 in Khamzat Chimaev's favour, making him the new champion. The new champion also received his jiu-jitsu black belt from his head coach immediately after the fight inside the cage. Dana White later said at the press conference in Chicago that Khamzat Chimaev might return at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi if the recovery is smooth and both sides agree to the short turnaround.