Khamzat Chimaev vowed to “smash everybody and kill everybody” standing in his way to UFC gold, fame, wealth, and history-making accolades. His latest victim was Dricus du Plessis, who failed in his third title defense after previously holding off two challengers. In the main event of UFC 319, Chimaev dominated the South African champion from start to finish, winning every round en route to a lopsided unanimous decision. Official scorecards and fight metrics show Chimaev logged 12 takedowns and an astonishing 21:40 of ground control time — one of the largest control totals recorded in a title fight — while landing an overwhelming total-strikes advantage.

Few expected Chimaev to encounter so little resistance against the more seasoned “South African Lion” with the belt. Yet, when it c

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