The UFC’s return to Chicago had plenty of highlight-reel finishes and breakout performances. Following UFC 319 at the United Center, four fighters from the main card received $50,000 “Performance of the Night” checks for stealing the show.
Tim Elliott makes triumphant return
After nearly 20 months away, longtime flyweight contender Tim Elliott (21-14-1 MMA, 10-11 UFC) wasted no time reminding fans of his what he’s all about. Opening the main card, Elliott locked up a guillotine choke in the second round to tap out former RIZIN titleholder Kai Asakura (21-6 MMA, 0-2 UFC). The win extended Elliott’s streak of submission victories and injected fresh momentum into the veteran’s UFC campaign.
Carlos Prates delivers a birthday knockout
Carlos Prates (22-7 MMA, 5-1 UFC) needed every last second of Round 1 to create one of the night’s most dramatic moments. With just a tick left on the clock, Prates blasted Geoff Neal (16-7 MMA, 8-5 UFC) with a spinning elbow that crumpled “Handz of Steel.” Still catching his breath in the Octagon, Prates was surprised when Dana White announced live that he’d already secured a $50K bonus – a fitting birthday gift for the Brazilian southpaw.
Lerone Murphy shocks Aaron Pico
Lerone Murphy (17-0-1 MMA, 9-0-1 UFC) entered his clash with Aaron Pico (13-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC) as the underdog against the much-hyped former Bellator standout. But once the cage door closed, it was Murphy who seized the spotlight. A perfectly timed spinning back elbow froze Pico on impact, leaving the debutant down for an unnerving stretch. The emphatic finish not only kept Murphy unbeaten but also elevated him as a serious threat in the featherweight division.
Khamzat Chimaev’s dominant title win
The main event saw Khamzat Chimaev (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) fulfill the prophecy many had predicted: capturing UFC gold. In one of the most lopsided championship fights in recent memory, Chimaev battered Dricus Du Plessis (23-3 MMA, 9-1 UFC) across five rounds, winning every frame on all three judges’ cards for a clean 50-44 sweep. The performance cemented “Borz” as the UFC’s new middleweight king – and earned him yet another post-fight bonus to go with the belt.
