Stats Analysis: Chimaev’s Record-Setting UFC 319 Performance by the Numbers

Khamzat Chimaev’s victory at UFC 319 wasn’t just dominant – it was historic from a statistical standpoint. In defeating Dricus du Plessis to claim the middleweight title, Chimaev set or approached multiple UFC records with his overwhelming output. From a jaw-dropping 529 total strikes landed to relentless wrestling success (12 takedowns) and marathon ground control time, Chimaev’s performance was one for the record books. This article breaks down the key numbers from Chimaev’s UFC 319 win and compares them with past UFC fights and records, providing a by-the-numbers look at just how extraordinary his showing was.

Striking Deluge: 529 Total Strikes (New UFC Record)

Chimaev unleashed an unprecedented volume of strikes over the five-round fight. He landed 529 total strikes on du Plessis while absorbing only 45 in return. To put that in perspective, Chimaev out-landed his opponent by a ratio of more than 11 to 1, one of the largest strike differentials ever recorded in the Octagon. The 529 strikes landed by Chimaev mark a new UFC record for a single fight, eclipsing the previous high of 447 set by Max Holloway in his 2021 masterclass against Calvin Kattar. Holloway’s output was long considered untouchable, but Chimaev raised the bar even further at UFC 319.

It’s important to note that “total strikes” include both significant strikes (power strikes at distance, plus impactful ground strikes) and smaller strikes such as short ground punches. Chimaev’s significant strikes against du Plessis were reported as 37 (versus 13 for du Plessis), which means the vast majority of his blows were landed from top position as grinding ground strikes. By accumulating hundreds of those short punches and elbows on the mat, Chimaev’s total strike count skyrocketed into record territory. For comparison, the combined total strikes landed by both fighters in Chimaev vs. du Plessis was 574 – also one of the highest ever, second only to Holloway vs. Kattar’s combined 581 strikes.

Historically, only a few fights have seen anything close to this level of output. Before Chimaev’s 529 strikes, the top mark belonged to Holloway (447) as mentioned, followed by heavyweight Stipe Miocic’s 361 strikes in a grueling 2015 TKO of Mark Hunt. Chimaev not only shattered the UFC title fight strikes record, but he also displayed remarkable efficiency in doing so – his strikes were not wild flurries but controlled ground-and-pound that steadily wore down du Plessis. The outcome was one of the most lopsided striking margins in memory. Chimaev landed 484 more strikes than his opponent (529 vs. 45), which may well be the largest gap ever in a UFC bout. For context, even Holloway’s famous win over Kattar saw a differential of about 312 strikes (445 vs. 133 significant strikes) – dominant, but not as extreme as Chimaev’s +484. In short, Chimaev’s output against du Plessis set a new benchmark for volume striking in the UFC.

Takedowns and Ground Control: Wrestling Clinic

Beyond strikes, Chimaev’s wrestling numbers were equally eye-popping. He completed 12 takedowns on 17 attempts (a 70.5% success rate), continuously putting du Plessis on the mat round after round. Those 12 takedowns are among the most ever landed in a UFC title fight. In fact, Chimaev is now tied for the third-most takedowns in a championship bout in UFC history. Only a couple of fights sit above him: UFC Hall of Famer Sean Sherk landed 16 takedowns in a five-round title fight back in 2007, and Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson hit 14 takedowns in a 2015 title defense. Chimaev’s 12 equaled the likes of Mighty Mouse’s performance against John Moraga in 2013 (12 takedowns) and stands as the most takedowns in a title fight since Johnson’s 14. It’s worth noting that the all-time UFC record for any fight is 21 takedowns (set by Khabib Nurmagomedov in a non-title bout), so Chimaev’s 12 is elite territory, especially considering it came against a high-level opponent in a championship setting.

Once the fight hit the ground, Chimaev’s control was suffocating. He racked up 21 minutes and 40 seconds of ground control time out of the 25 minutes of fight action. In other words, Chimaev controlled du Plessis on the mat for nearly 88% of the fight. It’s extremely rare to see such a high percentage in a five-round fight, particularly a title fight where both athletes are top contenders. By comparison, some of the sport’s legendary grapplers – e.g., Khabib Nurmagomedov or GSP – would often log 10 to 15 minutes of control in dominant wins, but 21+ minutes stands out as exceptionally high. Chimaev essentially removed the striking element for the vast majority of the bout, turning it into a grappling clinic. According to UFC Stats, du Plessis was on his back or stuck in defensive grappling positions for all but roughly three minutes of the contest.

The combination of relentless takedowns and long stretches of top control meant that du Plessis had very limited opportunities to strike or impose any offense. Chimaev smartly took the fight to his strongest area (wrestling) and kept it there. Each round, he shot in the opening seconds, secured the takedown, and methodically maintained dominant positions (such as side control, crucifix, or back mount) to prevent du Plessis from resetting. By the later rounds, the cumulative effect of being controlled and struck on the ground had exhausted du Plessis. The numbers back this up: du Plessis attempted only 15 significant strikes in the entire fight, landing 13. That low output is a testament to Chimaev’s smothering game plan.

Ground Strikes: Damage from the Crucifix

A significant portion of Chimaev’s record strike count came from his ground strikes, especially when he had du Plessis in the crucifix position. In Rounds 1 and 3, Chimaev pinned down one of du Plessis’ arms with his legs, leaving the former champ’s face exposed to undefended blows. From there, Chimaev delivered dozens of short punches and elbows. While each individual strike wasn’t a fight-ending bomb, the accumulated damage was substantial and the optics of domination were clear – the opponent trapped and eating shots without the ability to defend intelligently. This is a big reason Round 3 was scored 10–8 by all judges; Chimaev landed heavy elbows and continuous shots in that crucifix, nearly forcing a referee stoppage.

We can quantify this ground dominance further. Out of Chimaev’s 529 total strikes, only 37 were officially counted as “significant”, implying the remaining ~492 were ground strikes of the more grinding variety. It’s those hundreds of “smaller” strikes that added up to break the UFC record. This fight showed that relentless ground-and-pound can be just as statistically significant as flashy stand-up striking. Chimaev’s approach resembled the strategy of fighters like Khabib or prime GSP, who would accumulate large strike counts by staying busy on the mat. However, Chimaev exceeded even those benchmarks in volume. For example, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s most dominant outing (vs. Abel Trujillo) saw him land 258 strikes with 21 takedowns in three rounds. Chimaev essentially doubled that strike output in five rounds, illustrating how he kept an unrelenting pace.

Historical Comparisons and Records

Let’s recap the records and comparisons that Chimaev either set or approached with his UFC 319 stats:

• Most total strikes landed in a UFC fight: 529 by Khamzat Chimaev (new #1 all-time). Surpasses Max Holloway’s 447 vs. Calvin Kattar in 2021. Chimaev now sits atop the UFC record book for volume striking in a single bout.
• Strike differential: +484 (529 vs 45) in Chimaev vs. du Plessis. This may be the largest strike margin ever. For comparison, Holloway vs. Kattar was +312 (445 vs 133) in significant strikes. Another notably one-sided fight, Joanna Jędrzejczyk vs. Valerie Létourneau in 2015, had 220 vs 103 total strikes (a +117 margin) – nowhere near Chimaev’s numbers. Chimaev’s bout is in a league of its own for strike disparity.
• Takedowns in a title fight: 12 by Chimaev, tied 3rd all-time in UFC title fights. Only Sean Sherk (16 takedowns, UFC 73) and Demetrious Johnson (14 takedowns, UFC 186) have more in championship bouts. Chimaev is tied with Johnson’s 12 vs. John Moraga and a few non-title fight efforts also at 12 (e.g., Colby Covington once had 12 in a three-rounder).
• Ground control time: ~21:40 by Chimaev. While not an official “record” category publicly listed, this is one of the highest control times in any 25-minute fight. By comparison, Khabib Nurmagomedov had ~13 minutes of control in his dominant win over Edson Barboza (which was a 30–25 score) and ~10 minutes vs. Al Iaquinta (five-round decision). Chimaev’s 21+ minutes of control at UFC 319 showcases an extreme level of positional dominance. Essentially, du Plessis was controlled on the mat for almost the entire fight.
• Combined dominance (10–8 rounds): All three judges gave Chimaev a 10–8 round (Round 3). While not a record in itself, it reflects that level of dominance rarely seen in a title fight. For instance, Max Holloway’s win over Kattar saw two judges score it 50–43 and one 50–42, meaning multiple 10–8 rounds. Chimaev’s fight had one 10–8 round unanimously. It underscores that his performance was comparable to the most one-sided decisions in UFC history.

In summary, the numbers from UFC 319 tell the story of complete domination. Khamzat Chimaev delivered a statistical landslide: overwhelming strike volume, record-breaking output, relentless takedowns, and smothering control. It was the kind of performance that will be pored over in the UFC record books for years to come. By dismantling a top contender so thoroughly, Chimaev not only claimed the middleweight throne but also stamped his name next to several UFC records. The data from this fight backs up what fans witnessed live – a one-in-a-million type of showcase by a fighter who appears to be something truly special.

FAQ

Q: How many total strikes did Khamzat Chimaev land against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319?
A: Chimaev landed 529 total strikes in the fight. This set a new UFC record for the most strikes ever landed by one fighter in a single bout. By comparison, du Plessis landed only 45 strikes, highlighting how dominant Chimaev was.

Q: Is 529 strikes the most ever in a UFC fight?
A: Yes. Khamzat Chimaev’s 529 strikes are the most ever recorded in a UFC fight. The previous record was 447 (set by Max Holloway in 2021). Chimaev broke that record by a wide margin, showcasing unprecedented volume.

Q: How many takedowns did Chimaev complete at UFC 319?
A: He completed 12 takedowns out of 17 attempts during the fight. That is one of the highest takedown totals in UFC history for a title fight – tied for third-most in a UFC championship bout. Chimaev effectively took du Plessis down in every round, repeatedly keeping the fight on the ground.

Q: How long did Khamzat Chimaev control du Plessis on the ground?
A: Chimaev amassed approximately 21 minutes and 40 seconds of ground control time out of the 25-minute fight. That means he was in a dominant position on the ground for about 88% of the fight – an almost unheard-of level of control in a five-round contest.

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