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Brett Ocomoto
Chicago – Khamajat chimav Essentially a future UFC champion was crowned from the moment when he made his campaigner debut in 2020. Five years later, he finally performed well on those initial expectations.
Cheemo (15–0) claimed a middleweight championship in a major demonstration inside the United Center on Saturday night in UFC 319 Duli (23–3). Du Plessis refused to finish the cheemo, but rarely offered any resistance.
The result was one of the highest five quarrels in UFC history. All three judges scored it 50–44 for the cheemav, who set a UFC record for most of the total strikes that fought with 529 compared to just 45 for Du Plessis. Max Holowe In its 2021 win, held the previous mark with a 447 total strike Calvin hardcore,
“I am happy, always,” said Cheemo. “I have never had a game plan, just go in and work as I do in the gym. That man is strong. I can not finish. I respect the man. He is the only champion who will call my name. This man’s heart is big.”
Chechnya’s Cheemo broke into UFC in July 2020, winning his first two quarrels in an unprecedented 10 days. The UFC tried to put him on a fast track for the Welterweight Championship, but he signed a serious case of Covid-19 in 2021 and dealt with several medical and visa issues over the last four years.
When he has been active, however, he is an invincible force, defeating the choice of former champion Kamaru Usman And Robert WhitekarHe changed 12 of 17 Tekdown attempts on Saturday and spent more than 21 minutes of 25 minutes of fighting in a state of control. He took Du Plessis down in the early minutes of every round and put him in the first and third rounds twice in a completely defenseless cross.
12 Techdowns were tied for the third highest in a title battle in UFC history and the most Dimetrius Johnson landed 14 in a flyweight title battle in 2015.
Du Plessis of South Africa smiled between the round, but it was clear to wear the pressure of the cheem. He intimidated a late in the final round, as he reached the top against a tired chemav and went to a gilotine. The choke drowned for a second, but Cheemav peacefully worked from it and finished the boxing at the top.
“The man has an incredible control at the top,” Do Plessis said. “It was not a matter of strength, it was not physical, it was almost as if he knew what your next step was. I could almost taste that victory [with the choke]But he defeated me fair and square. He was a better man tonight. I am coming to get my belt back, but for now, it is his. He deserves it. “
This victory opens a world of options for a 31 -year -old Cheemo, who started his UFC career primarily as welterweight, but always said that he is open to compete in many weight classes. He told ESPN for Saturday’s fight that he believes that he could easily return to the welterweight border of 170 pounds. Jack dela madlena And Islam MakhachevHe has also expressed interest in going up to 205 pounds. Middleweight, included among their most potential contenders Namardine imavov, Cairo Boraho And Rainier Day Reder,
Before temporarily shifted to California to end its UFC 319 training camp, Cheemav did not set foot in the US since September 2022 due to visa issues. He became a UAE citizen in January, however, which helped him secure the visa in February. Cheemav also credited a change in the White House to help in his visa issue. The visa of the cheemo is valid for two years, which means that the issues of travel affecting their career in the last several years should be resolved for now.
Saturday night, in England’s co-main program Leron Murphy It may be that he has earned himself a feather-sound title with the highlight-reel knockout of the UFC newcomer. Aeron pico,
A former Belter MMA Standout, Pico (13-5) went with a lot of publicity in his UFC debut. There was something that Pico could also challenge Alexander Volkanovski For the UFC title at the end of this year, he was once renovated from Murphy (17–0-1). Pico had its moments in the battle, but its beginning ended violently when Murphy landed a spinning elbow, which put her out of the cold at a mark of 3:21.
This is the biggest win of Murphy’s career so far. The 34-year-old, went into the competition with an 8–0-1 points in the UFC, but gave very little fanfare. Most of them were to do with the fact that their last five wins went away. He replaced it in UFC 319.
“This game is about all moments, and I just made one,” said Murphy. “I took this fight on a three -week notice. I knew that there was an opportunity. I am in the next line. Come on, Volkanovski.”
For his share, the defending champion immediately agreed to the matchup on X, “See you in December [Lerone Murphy] Congrats.”
ESPN Research contributed to this report.
