Man-with-no-plan Chimaev beats du Plessis

A record number of strikes and several submission attempts were enough for Khamzat Chimaev to win the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight title, dethroning Dricus du Plessis by unanimous decision at UFC 319 on Aug 16.

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By taking all three cards by 50-44 scores, the 31-year-old Russian-Emirati remained unbeaten at 15-0, despite what was a largely supportive sold-out United Centre crowd in Chicago turning to jeers as the fight went on.

"I never game-plan. I just came in, work like I do in the gym," wrestling specialist Chimaev said, the new championship belt around his waist.

"That guy is strong, I couldn't finish. Respect that guy, he's the only champion who was saying my name. This guy has real heart, a real lion, a real African lion."

South African du Plessis (23-3) was on the canvas within the match's first 10 seconds and the defending champion was on the defensive throughout the match.