Khamzat Chimaev has finally arrived. At UFC 319, the unbeaten Chechen wrecking machine cemented his dominance by dismantling former champion Dricus Du Plessis in a five-round masterclass to claim the UFC Middleweight Title. But as the dust settles in Chicago, the question isn’t just who he beat—it’s where he’s going next.

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Is it a title defense? A drop to welterweight? Or something even more daring—a superfight with Islam Makhachev?

Welcome to the post-UFC 319 landscape, where nothing feels impossible.

Chimaev’s Crossroads: Stay at Middleweight or Chase Double Gold?

After years of stalled momentum due to injuries, illnesses, and visa issues, Khamzat Chimaev looked every bit like the monster the UFC once hyped in 2020. He controlled Du Plessis from the opening bell, showcasing both cardio and technical dominance. Now, with the middleweight strap on his waist, fans are clamoring to know: what’s next?

Chimaev has publicly expressed interest in moving across weight classes, and with Islam Makhachev and Jack Della Maddalena rumored to clash for the welterweight title, this could be the perfect moment for Chimaev to drop down and make history.

“It won’t get easier to cut weight at 33,” one analyst warned. “If he wants 170, the time is now.”

But let’s not forget the middleweight division itself. The winner of Nassourdine Imavov vs. Caio Borralho on September 9 in Paris is arguably the most logical opponent for Chimaev’s first defense. If Dana White wants the division moving, booking that title fight seems inevitable.

Du Plessis: From Title Fight to Gatekeeper?

Despite being thoroughly outclassed, Dricus Du Plessis is still one of the top contenders in the division. His aggressive, unorthodox style makes him a dangerous matchup for anyone in the top 10.

The best-case scenario? Du Plessis gets the loser of Imavov vs. Borralho, a fight that keeps him in the mix and could lead to another title shot.

However, there’s also a wildcard in play: Reinier de Ridder. RDR is riding a 4-0 start in the UFC, including a knockout win over Bo Nickal and a razor-thin victory against Robert Whittaker. His momentum makes him a real problem for Du Plessis—and potentially a future champion himself.

Lerone Murphy: From Underdog to Alexander Volkanovski’s Next Challenger?

The co-main event may have stolen the show. Lerone Murphy, the British featherweight who flew under the radar for years, delivered a stunning spinning back elbow knockout against Aaron Pico, instantly catapulting himself into the featherweight title picture.

With a clean record and now a viral finish under his belt, Murphy is being heavily linked to a title shot against Alexander Volkanovski later this year.

He was the forgotten man at 145,” one commentator said. “Now, he’s the name on everyone’s lips.

Should Volkanovski decide to wait, Murphy vs. Yair Rodriguez could serve as a thrilling interim matchup. But right now, Murphy’s shot feels earned—and inevitable.

Final Thoughts: The UFC 319 Aftermath

UFC 319 might be remembered as the night Khamzat Chimaev officially became the boogeyman, but it also marked the emergence of Lerone Murphy as a legitimate featherweight force. Meanwhile, Du Plessis, Imavov, Borralho, and de Ridder make the middleweight division more competitive than ever.

Whether Chimaev chases double gold or stays put to defend, the UFC has plenty of thrilling matchups ahead.

And let’s not forget: in the chaotic chess game of the UFC, one injury, one upset, or one tweet can change it all.

Dalton Rosta just punched his ticket to the 2025 PFL World Championship Middleweight Final, but the path wasn’t without its drama. In a tightly contested bout that had fans and analysts divided, Rosta narrowly defeated Aaron Jeffery via split decision — with judges scoring it 29-28, 29-28, and 27-30.

The fight, which took place as part of the PFL Middleweight Bracket semifinals, was a classic clash of styles, strategy, and grit. Rosta, known for his wrestling-heavy pressure and unrelenting pace, faced off against the rangy and powerful striker Jeffery, who had promised a knockout finish. What unfolded instead was a tactical war.

It could’ve gone either way,” Rosta admitted in the post-fight interview. Aaron’s tough, but I stuck to the game plan and did what I had to do.

Now, Rosta will meet the winner of the upcoming bout between Fabian Edwards and Josh Silveira in the final to determine who becomes the 2025 PFL Middleweight World Champion.

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A Fight of Inches: Round-by-Round Breakdown

The first round saw both fighters feeling each other out, with Jeffery landing sharp jabs and keeping Rosta at bay with leg kicks. But midway through the round, Rosta closed the distance and secured a takedown, scoring points with ground control and soft body shots.

In Round 2, Jeffery found his rhythm, stuffing takedowns and landing clean punches, including a stiff right that briefly wobbled Rosta. The momentum seemed to shift in Jeffery’s favor, prompting cheers from the crowd.

But in Round 3, Rosta’s relentless cardio paid off. He chained together clinch attempts, pushed Jeffery against the cage, and landed enough strikes in close range to sway two of the judges.

I thought I did enough,” said a visibly disappointed Jeffery. “But hats off to Dalton. We both left it all in there.

According to PFL fight metrics:

• Takedowns: Rosta 3/7, Jeffery 0/0
• Significant Strikes: Jeffery 52, Rosta 49
• Control Time: Rosta – 3 min 17 sec
• Octagon Control: Rosta led in positional dominance

These razor-thin margins explain the split decision outcome, which is already sparking debates online about judging consistency in MMA.

MMA analyst Luke Thomas tweeted:

Hard to argue with 29-28 either way, but Rosta’s control likely swung it. Still, Jeffery made it close.

What’s Next: The Final Awaits

With the win, Dalton Rosta moves one step closer to becoming a world champion and securing a potentially career-defining payday. The middleweight bracket has been stacked with killers this year, and whether he faces Fabian Edwards, the sharp British southpaw and brother of UFC champ Leon Edwards, or the dangerous and dynamic Josh Silveira, fans are guaranteed fireworks in the final.

PFL President Ray Sefo called the bracket “the most competitive middleweight lineup we’ve ever had,” adding that the Rosta vs Jeffery fight “lived up to every expectation.”

Rosta’s Rise

At 28, Dalton Rosta, known as “Hercules,” has maintained an impressive record with his blend of wrestling, athleticism, and discipline. A former NCAA standout, Rosta transitioned to MMA with Bellator before signing with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), where he has steadily climbed the rankings.

The Ohio native has spoken openly about his desire to represent the blue-collar work ethic of the Midwest.

I don’t just want to win — I want to dominate,” he told PFL in a pre-fight promo.

The Road Ahead

The 2025 PFL World Championship final is expected to take place later this year, with an exact date and venue to be announced soon. As Rosta rests and prepares, all eyes will turn to the showdown between Edwards and Silveira, where the final piece of the bracket puzzle will be set.

And with a million-dollar prize on the line, plus the chance to etch his name into PFL history, Dalton Rosta’s next fight might be the most important night of his life.

Former UFC champion Conor McGregor is once again dominating headlines—but not for his striking skills in the octagon. Instead, the Irish superstar finds himself at the center of personal controversy after being photographed appearing to kiss a mystery woman on a beach, despite being engaged to long-time partner Dee Devlin.

The photos, reportedly taken just a day before McGregor’s 37th birthday on July 14, set social media on fire, igniting speculation about the state of his 16-year relationship with Devlin. The timing of the leak—right before his birthday—couldn’t have been more brutal.

But while fans braced for a scandalous fallout, what followed was both surprising and oddly… sweet.

Dee Devlin breaks her silence—but not how you’d expect

Instead of directly addressing the beach photos or the infidelity rumors, Devlin posted a warm birthday message to McGregor on Instagram, sharing a series of couple photos and writing:

“Happy Birthday to the person who always keeps Dee entertained and makes her smile.”

The message, notably devoid of any tension or confrontation, was interpreted by many as a silent show of support—or perhaps a masterclass in PR composure.

Dee, who has been by Conor’s side since their teenage years in Dublin, is known for standing by him through everything—from poverty to global stardom, from UFC featherweight titles to legal battles.

Their engagement in 2020 seemed to be the fairy-tale culmination of a ride-or-die romance. The couple share four children, and Devlin has long been an integral part of McGregor’s brand and business empire.

“She has helped me throughout this career…”

Back in 2015, Conor publicly credited Devlin for his rise, telling the press:

“My girlfriend has been there since the start. If it wasn’t for her, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today.”

He added, “She stuck by me when I had essentially absolutely nothing. I only had a dream that I was telling her.”

Indeed, Devlin has been McGregor’s most loyal ally during his tumultuous career—and there’s been no shortage of tumult.

A string of recent controversies

McGregor’s career outside the cage has been marred by multiple legal and behavioral incidents:

• Just last month, he was filmed punching a man during a heated altercation in a nightclub in Ibiza.
• In November 2024, he was found liable in a civil case for the assault of Nikita Hand, which allegedly occurred in a Dublin hotel in 2018.
• And now, these photos with a “mystery woman” have once again dragged the fighter’s name into gossip headlines.

Despite these controversies, McGregor hasn’t fought in the UFC since 2021, with his fans and critics wondering whether his best days—professionally and personally—are behind him.

McGregor’s cryptic political rant: “Vote me in!”

In classic McGregor fashion, rather than addressing the beach photos directly, he posted a bizarre political rant on X (formerly Twitter).

“I will drag Taoiseach of house and home if the greater public of Ireland’s wishes are not met. Vote McGregor.”

Then, mixing Irish and English, he added:

“Vote me in! Put me to F**ING work. Is braith liom obair agus tá me go hiontach ag é.”*

The fiery post left many wondering: is this a genuine political bid or a distraction from the scandal?

Whether it’s a pivot to politics or just a spontaneous outburst, one thing is clear: McGregor’s days of quietly fading into retirement are not on the table.

What now for Dee and Conor?

While Devlin’s silence on the alleged kiss has sparked mixed reactions, her calm demeanor has earned admiration across social platforms. Some see it as strength; others, as avoidance.

McGregor, on the other hand, seems more focused on public attention than personal accountability.

The world may still be waiting for a direct statement on the viral photos, but for now, the silence—and the chaos—speaks volumes.

As fans watch the fallout unfold, one thing is certain: with Conor McGregor, nothing stays private for long.

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