Khamzat Chimaev’s performance at UFC 319 in Chicago was nothing short of a masterclass, as he dismantled former middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis to claim the UFC’s 185-pound title. The undefeated Chechen, known as ‘Borz,’ delivered a relentless display of wrestling and striking, controlling the fight for an astonishing 21 minutes and 40 seconds of the 25-minute bout. His dominance was so complete that he found time mid-fight to engage in a surprising exchange with Du Plessis’ corner, specifically head coach Morne Visser. This moment, coupled with Chimaev’s post-fight revelations and Visser’s fiery response, has added an intriguing layer to the narrative surrounding the new middleweight king.

From the opening round, Chimaev imposed his will on Du Plessis. His wrestling, a hallmark of his fighting style, was on full display as he effortlessly took the South African to the mat time and again. Over the course of the fight, Chimaev landed an incredible 12 takedowns, stifling any hope Du Plessis had of implementing his game plan. Once on the ground, Chimaev unleashed a barrage of over 500 strikes, ranging from punishing ground-and-pound to precise elbows that left Du Plessis struggling to defend himself. The fight was a one-sided affair, with Chimaev securing a unanimous decision victory and the middleweight belt, solidifying his status as one of the most dominant fighters in the UFC.

Amid this onslaught, Chimaev showcased his confidence in a way few fighters ever have. During a moment of control on the ground, he took the opportunity to speak directly to Du Plessis’ corner. While the live broadcast didn’t capture the audio, Chimaev later revealed the content of his mid-fight banter during his post-fight interview. “I just was working on him,” Chimaev said with a grin. “So, I had some cool time on there. So, just spoke with him, spoke with his coach, middle of the fight, was happy. I say, ‘Good job. Work harder, guys.’” The audacity to engage in casual conversation with his opponent’s coach while dominating the fight speaks volumes about Chimaev’s confidence and control. It was a moment that underscored his belief that the fight was firmly in his hands, a taunt delivered not out of malice but from a place of supreme self-assurance.

Morne Visser, Du Plessis’ head coach, was not amused by Chimaev’s words. In the aftermath of the fight, Visser spoke to Submission Radio about his plans for a rematch, vowing to help Du Plessis “destroy” Chimaev. “There’s obviously a lot of things happening in the middleweight division, but early next year,” Visser said, outlining his timeline for Du Plessis’ return to the octagon. “And back for the belt, that’s what we want. Nothing else. I’m not gonna let Dricus fight a ranked fighter. Ranked fighters are for other guys, not for us. We want the belt back.” Visser’s comments reflect a determination to reclaim the title, but also an acknowledgment of the challenge posed by Chimaev’s overwhelming performance.

Visser’s plan is clear: rather than taking on other contenders to rebuild Du Plessis’ momentum, he wants to focus on addressing the specific issues exposed in the UFC 319 loss. “Instead of spending time to prepare for another fight camp, to prepare for [Reinier de Ridder], I would rather spend that time to fix the problem that we’ve got and then go into a camp,” Visser explained. “So I won’t just take a fight because fights are available. I wanna fix this problem because we’re gonna face Khamzat, and I wanna destroy him this time.” The coach’s confidence is admirable, but the road to a rematch is far from straightforward. Chimaev’s performance was so dominant that an immediate rematch seems unlikely, as the UFC typically prefers fresh matchups following such decisive outcomes.

The middleweight division is brimming with talent, and Chimaev’s victory has opened the door to a host of potential challengers. Fighters like Reinier de Ridder, a BJJ specialist, could test Chimaev’s grappling in ways Du Plessis couldn’t. Meanwhile, the upcoming UFC Paris bout between Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho is being viewed as a potential title eliminator, with the winner likely earning a shot at Chimaev’s belt. Each of these fighters brings a unique skill set, but Chimaev’s ability to neutralize even the most elite opponents makes him a daunting prospect. His wrestling, described by UFC insiders as unrelenting, prevents opponents from dictating the fight’s terms, a factor that was painfully evident in Du Plessis’ struggle.

Chimaev’s mid-fight banter with Du Plessis’ corner adds a layer of intrigue to his persona. It’s rare for a fighter to be so in control that they can afford to engage in verbal sparring with their opponent’s team, and it speaks to Chimaev’s mental and physical dominance. His comment—“Good job. Work harder, guys”—was both a taunt and a challenge, urging Du Plessis’ team to find answers to his suffocating style. For Visser and Du Plessis, the loss was a humbling experience, but it has clearly lit a fire under them. Whether they can solve the puzzle that is Khamzat Chimaev remains to be seen, but their determination suggests they won’t back down easily.

The MMA world is now left to ponder what’s next for ‘Borz.’ His performance at UFC 319 was a reminder of why he’s been hailed as a generational talent, and his ability to dominate while still finding time to taunt his opponent’s corner only adds to his mystique. As the new middleweight champion, Chimaev is likely to face a steady stream of challengers eager to dethrone him. However, based on his showing in Chicago, that task will be easier said than done. Whether it’s a rematch with Du Plessis, a grappling showdown with de Ridder, or a fresh challenge from the winner of Imavov vs. Borralho, Chimaev has proven he’s ready for anything. For now, the middleweight division revolves around him, and the MMA world waits eagerly to see who steps up next.