UFC 319 DU PLESSIS VS CHIMAEV
UFC 319: DU PLESSIS VS CHIMAEV – My Detailed Fight Night Breakdown
What’s up, fight fans! UFC 319 went down last night and, honestly, it was one of those wild cards that’s going to have people talking for a while. There were insane finishes, some big surprises, and a main event that’s a textbook lesson for anyone who trains MMA, at any level. I’m breaking down everything fight-by-fight with my own thoughts, highlights, and some lessons you can actually use—whether you’re a die-hard fan or just starting out in martial arts. So let’s dig in!
Intro
UFC 319 was one of those events that reminds you why you love MMA. Every fight brought something different, and we even got back-to-back spinning elbows (seriously!). Whether you’re a fan, a coach, or someone thinking about starting martial arts, there’s a ton you can learn from these scraps.
Tim Elliott’s Gritty Win
Fight: Tim Elliott vs. Kai Asakura
How It Went Down
First fight of the night and it was a classic Tim Elliott performance. Dude came in smart, patient—weathered a serious storm early. At moments, it looked like he was going to get overwhelmed. But Tim’s a veteran, right? He’s not just there to take a beating; he’s got tricks up his sleeve.
He locked up a slick guillotine and that ended it. You gotta respect a fighter who stays cool under fire and finds that window — even if everyone counted him out.
Why It Stands Out:
- Elliott’s Durability: Been beating up “up-and-coming” guys for years.
- Survival Skills: Brought in to lose, but flipped the script.
- Jiu Jitsu IQ: That guillotine wasn’t just luck; that’s years of mat time.
Takeaway
If you’re coming up and you’re not getting the respect or hype, use that as fuel. Tim showed—being overlooked doesn’t mean you’re done. Props to him!
MVP vs. Jared Cannonier: Karate Masterclass
Fight: Michael “Venom” Page vs. Jared Cannonier
The Breakdown
This fight was all about styles. Michael Venom Page (MVP) came in and looked sharp — especially on the feet. His whole style is straight out of Olympic point karate: hands down, bladed stance, constant stance switches, blinding speed. It looks risky, but he makes it work.
Canonnier managed to get Page down in the third round and win the round. But Page had already bagged the first two rounds with his movement and striking.
- Moves Used: Lots of up jabs, reverse punches (from the hip), blitzes, hands down, switching stances constantly.
- Surprise: He only really attacks with the same 3–4 moves (jab, reverse punch, kick), but just mixes up the angles and timing.
- Southpaw Analysis: When he turns southpaw, there’s barely any offense — just the occasional kick.
“He makes the fight look so exciting, and moving around, doing all this what people think is risky stuff, but really all he’s doing is like three or four moves.”
Karate for MMA: Why It Works
MVP’s fighting style is built for spectators (exciting!) but also effective if you’re disciplined with timing and distance. In full-contact MMA, classical karate can handle wrestling — as long as you can minimize risk and keep the fight on the feet.
Props to MVP for keeping it simple, effective, and fun to watch!
Carlos Prates Pulls Off a Buzzer-Beater KO
Fight: Carlos Prates vs. Jeff Neal
What Happened
This fight was competitive early, but then—out of nowhere—Carlos throws a spinning elbow and lands it clean with just one second left in the first round. Absolute buzzer-beater. You don’t see that too often, especially at this level.
- Knockout Style: Spinning elbows are high risk/high reward. If you land it—it’s fight over, instantly.
- Jeff Neal’s Toughness: Props to him for taking on a guy with serious finishing power. Hope he’s okay after that one.
Why It’s Unique
This kind of finish is rare. Getting a clean spinning elbow KO right as the bell rings shows both timing and killer instinct.
Carlos Prates — remember the name.
Lee Ron Murray vs. Aaron Pico: Back-to-Back Spinning Elbows?
Fight: Lee Ron Murray vs. Aaron Pico
Details
Aaron Pico has a reputation. He was the “prospect” from Bellator and PFL—serious wrestling background, transitioned to MMA. He’s had some wins, but also some rough losses.
He came out super aggressive, chasing the finish—but got caught with a spinning elbow, just like Neal did earlier. Two spinning elbow finishes back-to-back! As far as a lot of people know (and the commentators said it, too), that's never happened before at a UFC event.
“There hasn’t been two fights on the same card—or two fights even, or two fights in a row—that have both ended in spinning elbow the way they did last night. Back to back.”
The Lesson
Martial arts isn’t just about who’s the strongest or works hardest. Sometimes, technique wins out—even if your opponent is a wild, up-and-coming prospect.
Props to Lee Ron Murray for the killer timing and precision.
Main Event: Chimaev vs. Du Plessis — A Ground Control Clinic
Fight: Khamzat Chimaev vs. Dricus Du Plessis
What Made This Fight Crazy
This main event was the real lesson for fighters AND fans. You had Chimaev—massive hype, undefeated in the UFC, insane ground control, top-tier wrestling—versus Dricus Du Plessis, who nobody’s ever really controlled for five rounds before.
What did we see?
- Elite Ground Control: Chimaev locked it down for five straight rounds. When he gets people down, they don’t just get up.
- Constant Movement: Wrestling shots, stance switches, killer cardio.
- Technical Level: Chimaev and guys like Khabib—their control is just next-level.
What Fighters Can Learn
If you’re a striker, you probably work on “just enough” jiu jitsu and wrestling to survive — keep it standing, sprawl and brawl, use the cage to get up. But this fight teaches us that there’s NO substitute for dedicated grappling reps.
“It doesn’t matter how hard you fight, that you have a better gas tank, or you’re willing to fight until you’re unconscious. If you don’t know the technique and haven’t drilled escape thousands of times, you’re not getting up.”
Striking skill is great. But when someone like Chimaev gets on top, you need tech, not just toughness.
Technique > Toughness: Real Lessons from UFC 319
Let’s get into why technique matters more than anything. You see it on every level—not just the main event.
The Chimaev Principle
- Wrestling Is Everything (Sometimes): You get taken down and you don’t know the escapes? You’re not getting up.
- Thousands of Reps: Chimayev’s control isn’t something he picked up overnight. It’s years and years of drilling, position, and ground transitions.
- Doesn’t Matter If You’re Tough: If you’re not technical, you can’t just muscle your way out.
Example
Aaron Pico got a takedown in the fight before, but couldn’t control his opponent on the ground. Why? The difference is in mat IQ and grappling reps, not just athleticism.
“If you hate drilling Jiu Jitsu or wrestling, understand this: [missing technique] doesn’t matter how much fight you have in you, or how tough you are—if you don’t know the position, you’re not getting up.”
From Blue Belt to Black Belt — It Applies to Everyone
It’s true whether you fight at the highest level or you’re just getting started at your local gym. The gaps between blue belt, brown belt, black belt — and between good wrestlers and GREAT ones — come down to hours on the mat and technical know-how.
- Right Position = Escape
- Wrong Position = No Escape, No Matter What
So—drill technique!
Russian Wrestlers vs. Americans: Why the Ground Game Matters
Why Russian (Dagestani/Chechen) Grapplers DOMINATE
Chimaev, Khabib, Dagestani fighters — they not only have insane takedown ability, but also black belt-level control once they’re on top. You don’t just fall and get up.
Comparison with American Wrestlers
- Americans: Great double-leg takedowns, salsa-style scrambles, but often lack that absolute top control jiu jitsu-type skill.
- Examples: Michael Chandler, Johnny Hendricks, Usman — great wrestlers but not always dominant in control.
- Russians: Grew up training Sambo, wrestling, and ground control. When they score, they keep you down.
“Russian guys, the Dagestanians, and now Chimaev (from Chechnya), they have high-level wrestling AND black belt-level control. You don’t see this a lot in American wrestlers, unfortunately.”
How They Train
- Sambo + Wrestling: Builds takedown and submission skills.
- Ground Control: Lots of drills, position, pressure—like jiu jitsu but with a wrestling base.
Practical Takeaway for Fighters
If you’re an up-and-comer, don’t just learn takedowns. Grind those techniques for top control and escapes. It’s the gap between “good” and “champion.”
Wrapping Up, Resources, and Next Steps
Last night’s card was wild. You had underestimated veterans getting it done, highlight reel knockouts, karate tactics, and real lessons in ground control and technique.
Key Lessons
- Don’t Count Out Veterans: Mat time and fight IQ win fights.
- Learn Your Escapes: Drill everything — not just takedowns.
- Karate Still Works: If you apply it with discipline and timing.
- Russian Grapplers Are Elite: Look at Chimaev, look at Khabib — wrestling PLUS control is a championship formula.
Want to Start Martial Arts? Here’s How!
If you’re new to martial arts and wondering where to train, check out my book:
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Join the Conversation
Got questions? Want me to break down a certain fight, technique, or style? Drop a comment below! I’m here to help you learn, get better, and enjoy this wild sport.
Final Thoughts
UFC 319 was packed with jaw-dropping moments, sharp technique, and some real lessons for fighters at every skill level. Whether you’re in it for the big knockouts, the chess matches on the ground, or just the raw heart, there’s never been a better time to be into MMA.
Stay tuned for more breakdowns, analysis, and resources to level up your training and understanding of the fight game. Thanks for reading — see you in the gym (or in the comments)!