Dricus du Plessis v Khamzat Chimaev recap - Chimaev grabs middleweight title at UFC 319, Brit Lerone Murphy's sensational win sets up title shot

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TNT Sports' live updates of UFC 319 where Dricus du Plessis lost his middleweight belt to the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev at the United Center in Chicago. Chimaev dominated the vaunted champion in a stunning display. Earlier there were victories for Brits Lerone Murphy, setting up a likely featherweight title shot, and Michael 'Venom' Page live on TNT Sports and discovery+

Highlights: Chimaev dominates Du Plessis to claim middleweight title at UFC 319

Video credit: TNT Sports

As dominant as it gets

Khamzat Chimaev completely humbled Dricus du Plessis to take the middleweight title at UFC 319 in Chicago's United Center.

Chimaev won by huge margin 50-44 on all three judges scorecards in a bout which was one-way traffic from the first seconds.

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While the challenger was the betting favourite going into the fight, such a one-sided wrestling schooling was not expected.

Chimaev had control on the mat for almost the whole of each of the first four rounds, with the South African unable to keep him off to launch his fiercesome strikes.

Only in the last round did du Plessis ever threaten when, aided by the referee ordering them to their feet, in the final minute twice had Chimaev in a grasp which he attempted to turn into a submission, but each time the Chechen fighter escaped.

Earlier, Brit Lerone Murphy likely set up a featherweight title fight with a sensational spinning back elbow first-round knockout of Aaron Pico.

This came straight after another similar knockout in the previous contest when Carlos Prates stopped Geoff Neal.

After Murphy's win, Featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski immediately suggested a contest should take place in December.

In a fine night for UK MMA, Michael 'Venom' Page earlier defeated Jared Cannonier on points and suggested afterwards he would like to meet Prates next in Rio.

Du Plessis: Chimaev like a blanket

"He was just like a blanket," du Plessis said on TNT Sports.

"I had to decide am I going to have him on my back or am I going to be on my back.

"I tried at the end, I could taste it, but credit to him."

Chimaev is middleweight champion

Chimaev wins 50-44 on all three scorecards.

Du Plessis-Chimaev: Round 5

Chimaev within thirty seconds has his opponent on the mat for a tenth time. This time with a back duplex and again he lands repeated punches on du Plessis' head on the floor.

Each time du Plessi gets back to his feet he is just thrown back on the mat.

Finally, midway through the round, du Plessis turns things around and briefly goes for a submission but Chimaev reverses it and maintains control until the referee brings them back to their feet.

As they trade for the first time in the fight in the last minute du Plessis lands a good right hand but he is soon brought down to the mat. Du Plessis to turn him and attempt a submission, but the Chechen comfortably survives it.

Du Plessis-Chimaev: Round 4

Du Plessis desperately seeks to avoid a takedown but after escaping Chimaev's clutches briefly he is brought to ground in the first twenty seconds of the round again.

Chimaev has his back initially before spinning his opponent on the ground, still with total control. The referee controversially separates them on the ground but Chimaev within ten seconds has the champion in the clutch again.

Du Plessis-Chimaev: Round 3

In a carbon copy of the first round, as du Plessis tries to strike his opponent, Chimaev rushes in and takes him to the mat, where he remains on top for the duration of the five minutes.

This time the strikes with du Plessis on the ground have more effect, especially painful elbows which draw blood around the ear, but du Plessis survives attempts to put him in a choke hold.

Du Plessis-Chimaev: Round 2

Chimaev immediately gets du Plessis' back and is ragdolling the South African around. He keeps hold of a waistlock and lands knees into du Plessis' legs and glutes, but the champion avoids the attempts from the challenger to turn his advantage into a choke hold. Two big rounds from Chimaev.

Du Plessis-Chimaev: Round 1

An immediate takedown from Chimaev. He attempts to turn it into a crucifix and keeps hitting du Plessis' head with his left hand, albeit not with great force as the South African tucks his head in. Du Plessis do4e well to stay out of too much trouble in the four minutes on the mat before getting out in the final thirty seconds, before he is put back in a lock again just before the buzzer.

It's Time!

The pair nearly got into it before the bell as du Plessis walked towards him when introduced. The roof may come off this place.

Main Event next...

As if we have not had enough entertainment so far, the battle between these two brutal warriors is next.

Volk wants December fight with Murphy

Murphy: I'm next in line!

Lerone Murphy declared himself ready to face UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski after his sensational knockout.

"I took the fight in three weeks notice - I believed in myself," Murphy said on TNT Sports.

"I'm next in line.

"That's the hardest first three minutes I've ever had.

"He was too aggressive. I said I'd use his aggression against him."

Murphy KOs Pico in Round 1

Another spinning elbow KO! In back-to-back fights! Murphy had been up against it. Pico came out landing a vicious right hand and then left to the body which seemed to weaken Murphy. He was taken down twice though got up quickly on both occasions.

Murphy had success with a left knee as Pico rushed in, but the American did not pay heed to this and the next time he sought to close the distance quickly a spinning elbow saw him knocked out before he hit the mat.

Co-Main Event next

We have had one Brit win tonight, can Manchester's Lerone Murphy (16-0-1) get the better of Aaron Pico (13-4).

Prates KOs Neal in Round 1

Once more we have a knockout right at the end of the first round. Prates looked incredibly sharp throughout landing hurtful kicks to slow Neal and also beating him to the punch in stand up.

Still, no one expected the spinning elbow at the buzzer catching Neal flush on the temple and knocking him out for the first time in his career.

Welterweights up next...

Geoff Neal (16-6) takes on Carlos Prates (21-7).

Page: I belong at welterweight

Page fought at 185lbs for this contest but suggested he still sees himself as a welterweight, though leaves the possibility open for big fights at the higher weight class.

"I always try to deliver...it wasn't what I expected - he's so strong," Page said on TNT Sports.

"I still have a lot of thoughts at 170, until I clear that out of my mind it's difficult for me to fixate on this division, but if there are great fights like that to be had you're going to see me here again."

Page wins by unanimous decision!

He takes the fight 29-28 on all three cards.

Cannonier-Page: Round 3

Page launches into a right hand but is taken down by Cannonier. He lands big strikes and elbows with MVP's back on the floor. Cannonier then tries to lock in a kimora but MVP does a good job in defence. In the last minute Cannonier lands another couple of big elbows. Would this be enough to give Cannonier a 10-8 round to salvage a draw? Probably not.

Cannonier-Page: Round 2

Page tags Cannonier with a right hook immediately and then a straight right and then a lightning one-two sends Cannonier down to the mat. Page does a shuffle and waits for his opponent to come back towards him. Each time Cannonier charges at Page he avoids the shots and laughs. Eventually, Cannonier pushes Page against the Octagon and sweeps his legs away but the Brit gets straight back up.

Cannonier-Page: Round 1

Cannonier takes his opponent to the Octagon on two occasions, bit is unable to lock his arms. The first time Page throws him off and shortly after knocks the American down with a counter right hand before gesturing for his opponent to calm down. As he did for much of the round, Cannonier punches at thin air as the five minutes comes to an end.

British interest next...

Michael 'Venom' Page (23-3) takes on Jared Cannonier (18-8) in a battle between two veterans.

Elliott submits Asakura in Round 2

Asakura struggles to land as easily in the first half of the round fearing a takedown from his opponent.

After finally landing a right hand, Asakura misses with another and is brought to the ground and Elliott locks in a guillotine, which eventually makes the Japanese fighter tap.

Asakura-Elliott: Round 1

Both land good shots early on, with Asakura's looking to gave slightly more effect and though Elliott is offering a lot of movement it is not paying dividends in terms of creating openings.

Elliott takes his opponent down with a minute remaining in the round, landing knees into Asakura though the Japanese fighter defends pretty well on his back.

Flyweights up first...

And we'll see a battle between strikers as Kai Asakura (21-5) and Tim Elliott (20-13-1) both expect to be able to take out their opponent.

The Main Card is next...

Dricus du Plessis (c) v Khamzat Chimaev - Middleweight Championship bout
Lerone Murphy v Aaron Pico - Featherweight
Geoff Neal v Carlos Prates - Welterweight
Jared Cannonier v Michael Page - Middleweight
Tim Elliott v Kai Asakura - Flyweight

Susurkaev submits Nolan in Round 2

A fantastic leg kick to the inside of the knee forced Nolan's leg to buckle which turned the contest. From there Susurkaev got Nolan's back and after some ground and pound, he locked in a choke hold which forced the American to tap. A good impression on his UFC debut.

Susurkaev-Nolan: Round 1

Susurkaev unnervingly smiles as he takes shots from Nolan but was forced to take a bit of punishment before taking his opponent down and then getting position on his back. From there he slammed his opponent back down on the mat.

Back standing up, Nolan has the advantage and in the closing stages he lands a devastating right to the temple which makes Susurkaev's legs do a funny dance and he is fortunate the round ended shortly afterwards.

Featured prelim next...

Baisangur Susurkaev (9-0) takes on Eric Nolan (8-3).

Oleksiejczuk wins with first-round KO

The Pole lands a straight one-two which drops Meerschaert to the mat and then he carefully picks his shots with the ground and pound forcing the referee to step in.

Middleweights up next...

Entertaining veterans Gerald Meerschaert (37-19) and Michal Oleksiejczuk (20-9) will go at it.

Godinez wins on points

Godinez wins the fight 29-28 on all three scorecards. All three judges gave her that close second round.

Andrade-Godinez: Round 3

Andrade's best round as she closes the distance and forces Godinez backwards for much of the round. Godinez's face reddens from the right hands, with blood emanating from a cut near the eye and mouth. The striking stats were close, but it felt like a round the Brazilian was dominating. In the closing stages, Andrade avoids a takedown and lands with multiple hooks with either hand. A great fight.

Andrade-Godinez: Round 2

It is an interesting clash between the indomitable will of Andrade and the crisper striking and skills of Godinez. Early in the round, Godinez has the better of things but as the round wears on Andrade closes the distance and has some success. The close round ends with Godinez trying to take Andrade down but her attempts being blocked.

Andrade-Godinez: Round 1

Both land in the early stages, but Godinez's shots are crisper. She adds in kicks to the body which help set up right hands. Andrade is out-landed by around two-to-one but in the last minute gets through with shots in the last minute which force Godinez back.

Women's Strawweight action next

Jessica Andrade (26-14) takes on Loopy Godinez (13-5).

Hernandez stops Hooper in Round 1

Wow! Hooper controlled things early with kicks utilizing his 6ft 1in frame, but Hernandez closed the distance to land two good right hands midway through the round. Hooper was telegraphing his attacks a lot with Hernandez reading his spinning punches and lunging attempts to lock him up.

Then, with seconds remaining in the round, Hernandez caught Hooper with a counter right hand that left him spread-eagled on the mat and after a couple more shots the referee stepped in as the buzzer sounded.

Hooper-Hernandez up first

A lightweight contest between the fancied 'Dream' Chase Hooper (16-3-1) and Alexander 'The Ape' Hernandez (16-8).

We are Live!

The coverage of the prelims will begin shortly.

Action gets underway shortly...

We will get underway with the prelims at 1am at TNT Sports 1 and discovery+.

Hard to read anything from head-to-head

Du Plessis ready for the Boogeyman

Du Plessis relishing 'special' fight against 'boogeyman' Chimaev

Video credit: TNT Sports

Main Eventers undefeated in UFC

Hello and welcome...

Thanks for joining our coverage of UFC 319. We'll be following all the action with you right up until the main event when Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev enter the Octagon in one of the most highly anticipated bouts of the year.