(Reuters) -Chechen-born wrestling specialist Khamzat Chimaev completely dominated Dricus du Plessis to win the UFC middleweight championship at UFC 319 on Saturday night, smothering the South African with his grappling.

Chimaev scored a unanimous decision victory on the judges’ scorecards.

He set the tone in the opening minute, shooting for an early takedown to bring the fight to the mat and pinning the South African in a crucifix position before raining punches with his left hand, but the blows did little damage and du Plessis survived.

Round two began in much the same fashion as the 31-year-old again brought the fight to the mat. This time he stuck to his opponent’s back like a limpet to threaten with knee strikes and choke attempts, and Du Plessis was spent in the third and fourth ro

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