The Ringside Report crew was in full party mode for UFC 319, complete with bloody caesars and jalapeno chips, as Dave Simon, AJ D’Alesio, and Fred Garcia settled in for what would become one of the most memorable fight nights of 2025. Broadcasting live across YouTube, Rumble, Twitch, DLive, and Kick, the team had no idea they were about to witness UFC history in the making.
Tim Elliott vs. Kai Asakura: Setting the UFC 319 Tone
The UFC 319 Main Card opened with a shocking upset that perfectly encapsulated the unpredictable nature of MMA. Kai Asakura, the former RIZIN champion making his second UFC appearance after a disappointing title shot loss to Alexandre Pantoja, looked to be in complete control through the first two rounds.
“Asakura’s boxing is very sharp,” Dave noted early in the first round as the Japanese fighter landed clean combinations on the veteran Elliott. “Excellent hands-on Asakura so far. Elliott can’t quite get anything going.”
AJ was equally impressed: “Asakura on the money with every shot. He’s eating them.”
The drunken monkey style of Elliott, as the crew dubbed it, provided entertainment but little success in the striking exchanges. However, the 38-year-old veteran showed why experience matters in MMA. With just seconds remaining in the second round, Elliott secured a takedown and immediately jumped on a guillotine choke.
“Elliott has a mounted guillotine trying to get it in,” Dave called out excitedly. “He might get it here! It looks deep!”
The submission was picture-perfect, forcing Asakura to tap with mere seconds left in the round. The crew was stunned by the dramatic finish.
“That shows you right there, he was losing the game and once he got that guillotine in there… that was sick,” AJ observed, highlighting the importance of grappling in MMA.
Fred summed it up perfectly: “Anyone who doesn’t realize how important it is to be a good grappler in MMA, you’re lost.”
Michael Venom Page vs. Jared Cannonier: Showboating Gone Wrong
The middleweight clash between the flashy Michael “Venom” Page and veteran knockout artist Jared Cannonier provided plenty of drama and frustration for the watching crew. MVP’s striking brilliance was on full display early, but his showboating nearly cost him everything.
MVP dominated the first two rounds with his unorthodox style, dropping Cannonier with a thunderous right hand in the first round and following up with theatrical taunting that had the crew both impressed and concerned.
“MVP just landing jabs at will,” Dave noted. “Cannonier looks a little confused right now.”
The spinning back elbow that sent Cannonier flying across the cage drew gasps from the commentary team. “MVP didn’t even follow up, he just danced,” Dave said, shaking his head at the missed opportunity.
However, the third round exposed MVP’s glaring weakness when a careless slip led to him spending most of the final five minutes on his back, desperately defending against Cannonier’s submission attempts.
“This is what I’m saying – don’t dance when you knock down your opponent, go and attack him,” Dave emphasized his frustration. “MVP really has no bottom game jujitsu like there’s nothing.”
Fred was equally critical: “I’m gonna go to lockdown or something. He needs to go to the 10th Planet.”
Despite winning by unanimous decision, the crew felt MVP’s performance was marred by his poor grappling. “Not to focus on myself or anything, but I wouldn’t give a bonus to MVP,” Dave concluded.
Carlos Prates Spinning back elbow knocks out Geoff Neal
Carlos Prates vs. Geoff Neal: UFC 319’s First Spinning Elbow
The welterweight bout between Carlos Prates and Geoff Neal seemed to be heading toward a decision victory for the Brazilian striker when lightning struck with devastating precision. Prates had controlled the striking exchanges throughout, landing the cleaner shots and building a lead on the scorecards.
“Prates pretty tall, long, lanky muay thai fighter,” Dave observed early. “Sharp calf kick there from Prates.”
With seconds remaining in the first round, Prates unleashed a spinning back elbow that caught Neal flush on the temple, dropping him unconscious instantly.
“Spinning back elbow knocks him out! It’s over!” Dave shouted. “Last second of the first round!”
The knockout was so clean and devastating that Neal remained motionless for an extended period, requiring medical attention. The crew was in awe of the technique and timing.
“That was a beautiful spinning back elbow there from the Pratester,” Dave said, coining a new nickname on the spot. “Knocked him out clean. That’s the way you do it so far, he’s got the bonus.”
AJ noted the significance: “He might win a bonus for that tonight. Jimmy Chunga, wow, that was crazy.”
Aaron Pico was sent to the hospital after the devastating elbow from Murphy.
Lerone Murphy vs. Aaron Pico: The Second Spinning Elbow
The featherweight co-main event between Manchester’s Lerone Murphy and highly-touted prospect Aaron Pico delivered one of the most shocking moments in recent UFC history. Pico, the former Bellator standout making his UFC debut, looked to be fulfilling his potential early in the fight.
“Jesus, Murphy kind of stumbled to a knee there after taking a punch,” Dave called as Pico’s power was immediately evident. “Pico is looking strong and powerful so far.”
For the opening minutes, Pico appeared to be the superior athlete, taking Murphy down at will and controlling position. The crew was impressed by his physicality and wrestling.
“Look how strong his back looks,” AJ noted. “That’s crazy.”
However, just as Pico seemed to be building toward a dominant victory, Murphy pulled off one of the most spectacular comebacks of the year. After being dominated on the ground, Murphy caught Pico with a perfectly timed spinning back elbow that left the prospect unconscious and motionless.
“Spinning elbow knocks out Aaron Pico!” Dave screamed. “Called the spinning elbow strikes again at UFC 319!”
The finish was so brutal that Pico required immediate medical attention, his mouth guard stuck in his closed jaw. The crew was simultaneously amazed and concerned.
“Aaron Pico was like, was he watching the last fight?” Dave wondered aloud about the coincidence.
AJ summed up the shock: “Back-to-back spinners, that’s never happened in UFC. Out of nowhere, wow.”
The severity of the knockout became apparent as medical personnel attended to Pico, who remained unconscious for an extended period. The crew noted his concerning condition with growing worry.
“Poor guy, those are dangerous,” AJ said about the spinning elbows. “That’s scary, poor guy.”
The Historic Double: Two Consecutive Spinning Elbow Knockouts
What made this UFC 319 truly special was the unprecedented occurrence of back-to-back spinning elbow knockouts, something the veteran MMA watchers had never witnessed.
“How many times have you seen two spinning elbows take the win?” AJ asked, still processing what they’d witnessed.
The crew spent considerable time discussing the rarity of the achievement. Dave noted the coincidence: “Murphy saw Carlos Prates and was like ‘I can do that too.'”
However, the celebration of the historic moment was tempered by genuine concern for Aaron Pico’s condition. The devastating nature of Murphy’s spinning elbow had left the prospect in a worrying state, requiring extensive medical attention at ringside.
The aftermath proved even more serious than initially apparent. Following UFC 319, it was revealed that Aaron Pico had been transported to a local Chicago hospital for further evaluation and treatment. The spinning elbow had connected with such precision and force that medical professionals deemed it necessary to conduct additional tests to ensure there were no lasting effects from the knockout.
“He’s messed up, look at him,” AJ had observed immediately after the finish, noting Pico’s motionless state. “Those are the type of elbows you do not want to receive.”
The hospitalization served as a stark reminder of the brutal realities of mixed martial arts, even as fans celebrated the technical brilliance of Murphy’s comeback victory. While both knockouts would later earn Performance of the Night bonuses worth $50,000 each, with the UFC recognizing the historic nature of the consecutive spinning elbow finishes, Pico’s condition highlighted the serious consequences that can result from such devastating strikes.
“Tonight it’s all about promotion, who needs LinkedIn?” AJ had joked about fighters using their post-fight interviews to promote teammates, but the spinning elbows had already done all the talking needed – perhaps too effectively in Pico’s case.
The incident underscored the importance of immediate medical attention following knockouts and the UFC’s protocols for fighter safety, ensuring that Pico received the proper care needed after such a traumatic finish.
Absolutely DOMINANT performance from @KChimaev tonight 👏
Khamzat Chimaev vs. Dricus du Plessis: A Wrestling Masterclass
The main event lived up to all expectations, just not in the way many anticipated. Khamzat Chimaev’s wrestling dominance over champion Dricus du Plessis was so complete and one-sided that it left the crew in awe of the challenger’s skill level.
Round 1: Immediate Domination
From the opening bell, Chimaev’s game plan was crystal clear. The immediate takedown and subsequent control set the tone for what would become a five-round wrestling clinic.
“Khamzat is shooting for the takedown right away, gets the takedown!” Dave called as Chimaev secured the fight’s first significant moment. “Side control in 30 seconds, he got there.”
The crucifix position that followed had Fred excited about the technical display: “This is what we saw with DC, the way he lifted DC.”
Dave was equally impressed: “He’s got him pinned down and Khamzat just throwing little shots… Dricus can’t do anything.”
AJ noted the psychological impact: “To be in a position like this so early, this is insane.”
Round 2: More of the Same
The second round followed an identical script, with Chimaev securing another early takedown and maintaining complete control. The crew began to realize they were witnessing something special.
“17 wins, zero losses, one draw for Lerone, but look at Khamzat,” AJ observed about Chimaev’s continued dominance.
The total strike count by the end of round two told the story: 171 for Chimaev, just 12 for du Plessis.
“12 strikes for Dricus, you know we’re in round two,” AJ said in disbelief. “It just goes to show you the mauling that’s happening right now.”
Round 3: Breaking Point
By the third round, du Plessis appeared mentally defeated, his usual smile replaced by visible frustration and exhaustion.
“Look at the demeanor of Dricus here, he looks like a guy who’s just been deflated,” AJ observed. “He’s like ‘fuck, I gotta do this again.'”
Dave noted the champion’s deteriorating condition: “It looks like he’s aging during the fight.”
The crew discussed whether the referee should consider stopping the fight due to a lack of intelligent defense. However, they agreed that du Plessis wasn’t in immediate danger of serious injury.
Round 4: Controversial Officiating
The fourth round brought controversy when referee Marc Goddard stood the fighters up from a dominant position for Chimaev, much to the crew’s dismay.
“You can’t do that! What is Mark Goddard doing?” Dave protested. “Just because the crowd is booing doesn’t mean they should influence your refereeing.”
Fred agreed: “That’s ridiculous, you can’t do that.”
The stand-up proved meaningless as Chimaev immediately secured another takedown, but it highlighted the crew’s expertise in recognizing poor officiating.
Round 5: Sealing the Victory
Despite another questionable stand-up in the final round, Chimaev’s dominance never wavered. When du Plessis briefly got on top following the referee’s intervention, it only served to highlight how superior Chimaev’s grappling truly was.
“If Khamzat loses, gets knocked out here, it’s Mark Goddard’s fault,” Dave said, though Chimaev quickly regained control.
The final scorecards reflected the one-sided nature of the contest: 50-44 across all three judges, with multiple rounds scored 10-8 in Chimaev’s favor.
The crew’s analysis of the main event centered on the historic nature of Chimaev’s performance and what it meant for the middleweight division.
“Khamzat should win a unanimous decision, all five rounds on my scorecard,” Dave predicted correctly. “50-45 or 50-43 maybe, a couple 10-8s in there.”
AJ emphasized the skill gap: “That was a wrestling clinic. It just goes to show you, you could be the champ for a long time, but when you’re missing something, which is his wrestling and his wrestling defense, that got exposed tonight big time.”
The crew discussed the implications for du Plessis’s future: “Does it mentally break him where in his next fight he loses too, and then he goes on a little skid?” Dave wondered.
For Chimaev, they saw a long championship reign ahead: “After what we’ve seen from Khamzat tonight, it’s going to be hard to pick against him in any fights anytime soon,” Dave concluded.
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The Night’s Verdict
UFC 319 delivered everything fans could want: shocking upsets, technical brilliance, historic moments, and a changing of the guard at middleweight. The Ringside Report crew’s live reactions captured the raw excitement and expertise that make their watch-alongs essential viewing for MMA fans.
From Tim Elliott’s veteran guile to Khamzat Chimaev’s wrestling mastery, from unprecedented spinning elbow knockouts to controversial refereeing, the night provided enough talking points to last until the next pay-per-view. However, the celebration was tempered by the solemn reminder of MMA’s inherent dangers, as Aaron Pico’s hospitalization following his knockout loss served as a sobering counterpoint to the technical brilliance on display.
As Dave noted in closing: “Congratulations to Khamzat Chimaev, your new UFC middleweight champion.” The era of “Borz” had officially begun, and the Ringside Report crew had provided the perfect soundtrack to witness it unfold.
The combination of expert analysis, genuine reactions, and the camaraderie between Dave, AJ, and Fred made this watch-along a perfect complement to one of the most memorable nights in recent UFC history. Their ability to break down the technical aspects while maintaining the excitement of casual fans created the ideal viewing experience for MMA enthusiasts at every level.
Three stories are colliding in MMA right now, and none of them are particularly flattering for the sport. Colby Covington is out of the UFC after going once-a-year for five years and losing four of his last six — then finding himself off the White House guest list despite being Trump’s loudest MMA supporter for a decade. Trump’s actual favorite fighter? Khabib. UFC Freedom 250 is June 14 on the White House lawn with Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje and Alex Pereira vs. Cyril Gane, but the UFC is running its own judges with no government athletic commission in place, it’s going to be 80-plus degrees outside with insects swarming the lights, and 50,000 people are watching on outdoor screens nearby. And Dana White told Time magazine that people who talk about their mental health publicly are giving young men permission to be weak. It’s the most dangerous thing he’s said in years — and the most revealing.
Wrestling Uncensored Episode 782 arrives the night before Saturday Night’s Main Event 2026 — and the timing couldn’t be better. Dave Simon and Johnny North go through the full SNME card: Penta vs. Ethan Page for the IC title, The Vision vs. Street Profits for the World Tag titles, the Jade Cargill six-woman tag with a title match in Italy on the line, Becky Lynch vs. Sol Ruca, and whether Paige and Brie’s Women’s Tag run finally ends against Lash Legend and Nia Jax. Plus the complete AEW Double or Nothing 2026 preview — Darby Allin defending against MJF in a hair vs. title main event, Ospreay vs. Samoa Joe in the Owen Hart Cup, FTR vs. Edge and Christian in an I Quit career-ending tag match, and Takeshita vs. Okada. And Brock Lesnar is back after a month-long retirement, with a contract, no explanation, and four F5s on Oba Femi.
Conor McGregor is officially back. UFC 329, July 11, 2026, T-Mobile Arena — McGregor versus Max Holloway in a welterweight rematch at 170 pounds. The UFC announced it mid-MVP MMA 1, which was either perfect timing or a mercy kill depending on how you look at it. Because MVP MMA 1 was not the show the sport needed. Ronda Rousey submitted Gina Carano in 17 seconds, then retired on the microphone. Junior dos Santos and Francis Ngannou were involved in mismatches. The broadcast felt decades behind. Meanwhile, the UFC is heading into the most ambitious summer in company history — Freedom 250 at the White House on June 14th, Makhachev vs. Gaethje for the lightweight title, Pereira vs. Gane for the interim heavyweight belt, and a full UFC 329 card built around the return of the sport’s biggest star. The gap between the real sport and everything else has never looked wider.
AEW Double or Nothing 2026 is one week away with Darby Allin defending against MJF in a hair vs. title main event. Dave Simon and Johnny North break down the full card, lock in Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther for Clash in Italy, and dig into Bron Breakker, Sami Zayn, and a possible Asuka exit on Episode 781.
UFC 319 Complete Breakdown: Chimaev Destroys Du Plessis + Back-to-Back Spinning Elbow Finishes
The Ringside Report crew was in full party mode for UFC 319, complete with bloody caesars and jalapeno chips, as Dave Simon, AJ D’Alesio, and Fred Garcia settled in for what would become one of the most memorable fight nights of 2025. Broadcasting live across YouTube, Rumble, Twitch, DLive, and Kick, the team had no idea they were about to witness UFC history in the making.
Tim Elliott vs. Kai Asakura: Setting the UFC 319 Tone
The UFC 319 Main Card opened with a shocking upset that perfectly encapsulated the unpredictable nature of MMA. Kai Asakura, the former RIZIN champion making his second UFC appearance after a disappointing title shot loss to Alexandre Pantoja, looked to be in complete control through the first two rounds.
“Asakura’s boxing is very sharp,” Dave noted early in the first round as the Japanese fighter landed clean combinations on the veteran Elliott. “Excellent hands-on Asakura so far. Elliott can’t quite get anything going.”
AJ was equally impressed: “Asakura on the money with every shot. He’s eating them.”
The drunken monkey style of Elliott, as the crew dubbed it, provided entertainment but little success in the striking exchanges. However, the 38-year-old veteran showed why experience matters in MMA. With just seconds remaining in the second round, Elliott secured a takedown and immediately jumped on a guillotine choke.
“Elliott has a mounted guillotine trying to get it in,” Dave called out excitedly. “He might get it here! It looks deep!”
The submission was picture-perfect, forcing Asakura to tap with mere seconds left in the round. The crew was stunned by the dramatic finish.
“That shows you right there, he was losing the game and once he got that guillotine in there… that was sick,” AJ observed, highlighting the importance of grappling in MMA.
Fred summed it up perfectly: “Anyone who doesn’t realize how important it is to be a good grappler in MMA, you’re lost.”
Michael Venom Page vs. Jared Cannonier: Showboating Gone Wrong
The middleweight clash between the flashy Michael “Venom” Page and veteran knockout artist Jared Cannonier provided plenty of drama and frustration for the watching crew. MVP’s striking brilliance was on full display early, but his showboating nearly cost him everything.
MVP dominated the first two rounds with his unorthodox style, dropping Cannonier with a thunderous right hand in the first round and following up with theatrical taunting that had the crew both impressed and concerned.
“MVP just landing jabs at will,” Dave noted. “Cannonier looks a little confused right now.”
The spinning back elbow that sent Cannonier flying across the cage drew gasps from the commentary team. “MVP didn’t even follow up, he just danced,” Dave said, shaking his head at the missed opportunity.
However, the third round exposed MVP’s glaring weakness when a careless slip led to him spending most of the final five minutes on his back, desperately defending against Cannonier’s submission attempts.
“This is what I’m saying – don’t dance when you knock down your opponent, go and attack him,” Dave emphasized his frustration. “MVP really has no bottom game jujitsu like there’s nothing.”
Fred was equally critical: “I’m gonna go to lockdown or something. He needs to go to the 10th Planet.”
Despite winning by unanimous decision, the crew felt MVP’s performance was marred by his poor grappling. “Not to focus on myself or anything, but I wouldn’t give a bonus to MVP,” Dave concluded.
Carlos Prates vs. Geoff Neal: UFC 319’s First Spinning Elbow
The welterweight bout between Carlos Prates and Geoff Neal seemed to be heading toward a decision victory for the Brazilian striker when lightning struck with devastating precision. Prates had controlled the striking exchanges throughout, landing the cleaner shots and building a lead on the scorecards.
“Prates pretty tall, long, lanky muay thai fighter,” Dave observed early. “Sharp calf kick there from Prates.”
With seconds remaining in the first round, Prates unleashed a spinning back elbow that caught Neal flush on the temple, dropping him unconscious instantly.
“Spinning back elbow knocks him out! It’s over!” Dave shouted. “Last second of the first round!”
The knockout was so clean and devastating that Neal remained motionless for an extended period, requiring medical attention. The crew was in awe of the technique and timing.
“That was a beautiful spinning back elbow there from the Pratester,” Dave said, coining a new nickname on the spot. “Knocked him out clean. That’s the way you do it so far, he’s got the bonus.”
AJ noted the significance: “He might win a bonus for that tonight. Jimmy Chunga, wow, that was crazy.”
Lerone Murphy vs. Aaron Pico: The Second Spinning Elbow
The featherweight co-main event between Manchester’s Lerone Murphy and highly-touted prospect Aaron Pico delivered one of the most shocking moments in recent UFC history. Pico, the former Bellator standout making his UFC debut, looked to be fulfilling his potential early in the fight.
“Jesus, Murphy kind of stumbled to a knee there after taking a punch,” Dave called as Pico’s power was immediately evident. “Pico is looking strong and powerful so far.”
For the opening minutes, Pico appeared to be the superior athlete, taking Murphy down at will and controlling position. The crew was impressed by his physicality and wrestling.
“Look how strong his back looks,” AJ noted. “That’s crazy.”
However, just as Pico seemed to be building toward a dominant victory, Murphy pulled off one of the most spectacular comebacks of the year. After being dominated on the ground, Murphy caught Pico with a perfectly timed spinning back elbow that left the prospect unconscious and motionless.
“Spinning elbow knocks out Aaron Pico!” Dave screamed. “Called the spinning elbow strikes again at UFC 319!”
The finish was so brutal that Pico required immediate medical attention, his mouth guard stuck in his closed jaw. The crew was simultaneously amazed and concerned.
“Aaron Pico was like, was he watching the last fight?” Dave wondered aloud about the coincidence.
AJ summed up the shock: “Back-to-back spinners, that’s never happened in UFC. Out of nowhere, wow.”
The severity of the knockout became apparent as medical personnel attended to Pico, who remained unconscious for an extended period. The crew noted his concerning condition with growing worry.
“Poor guy, those are dangerous,” AJ said about the spinning elbows. “That’s scary, poor guy.”
The Historic Double: Two Consecutive Spinning Elbow Knockouts
What made this UFC 319 truly special was the unprecedented occurrence of back-to-back spinning elbow knockouts, something the veteran MMA watchers had never witnessed.
“How many times have you seen two spinning elbows take the win?” AJ asked, still processing what they’d witnessed.
The crew spent considerable time discussing the rarity of the achievement. Dave noted the coincidence: “Murphy saw Carlos Prates and was like ‘I can do that too.'”
However, the celebration of the historic moment was tempered by genuine concern for Aaron Pico’s condition. The devastating nature of Murphy’s spinning elbow had left the prospect in a worrying state, requiring extensive medical attention at ringside.
The aftermath proved even more serious than initially apparent. Following UFC 319, it was revealed that Aaron Pico had been transported to a local Chicago hospital for further evaluation and treatment. The spinning elbow had connected with such precision and force that medical professionals deemed it necessary to conduct additional tests to ensure there were no lasting effects from the knockout.
“He’s messed up, look at him,” AJ had observed immediately after the finish, noting Pico’s motionless state. “Those are the type of elbows you do not want to receive.”
The hospitalization served as a stark reminder of the brutal realities of mixed martial arts, even as fans celebrated the technical brilliance of Murphy’s comeback victory. While both knockouts would later earn Performance of the Night bonuses worth $50,000 each, with the UFC recognizing the historic nature of the consecutive spinning elbow finishes, Pico’s condition highlighted the serious consequences that can result from such devastating strikes.
“Tonight it’s all about promotion, who needs LinkedIn?” AJ had joked about fighters using their post-fight interviews to promote teammates, but the spinning elbows had already done all the talking needed – perhaps too effectively in Pico’s case.
The incident underscored the importance of immediate medical attention following knockouts and the UFC’s protocols for fighter safety, ensuring that Pico received the proper care needed after such a traumatic finish.
Khamzat Chimaev vs. Dricus du Plessis: A Wrestling Masterclass
The main event lived up to all expectations, just not in the way many anticipated. Khamzat Chimaev’s wrestling dominance over champion Dricus du Plessis was so complete and one-sided that it left the crew in awe of the challenger’s skill level.
Round 1: Immediate Domination
From the opening bell, Chimaev’s game plan was crystal clear. The immediate takedown and subsequent control set the tone for what would become a five-round wrestling clinic.
“Khamzat is shooting for the takedown right away, gets the takedown!” Dave called as Chimaev secured the fight’s first significant moment. “Side control in 30 seconds, he got there.”
The crucifix position that followed had Fred excited about the technical display: “This is what we saw with DC, the way he lifted DC.”
Dave was equally impressed: “He’s got him pinned down and Khamzat just throwing little shots… Dricus can’t do anything.”
AJ noted the psychological impact: “To be in a position like this so early, this is insane.”
Round 2: More of the Same
The second round followed an identical script, with Chimaev securing another early takedown and maintaining complete control. The crew began to realize they were witnessing something special.
“17 wins, zero losses, one draw for Lerone, but look at Khamzat,” AJ observed about Chimaev’s continued dominance.
The total strike count by the end of round two told the story: 171 for Chimaev, just 12 for du Plessis.
“12 strikes for Dricus, you know we’re in round two,” AJ said in disbelief. “It just goes to show you the mauling that’s happening right now.”
Round 3: Breaking Point
By the third round, du Plessis appeared mentally defeated, his usual smile replaced by visible frustration and exhaustion.
“Look at the demeanor of Dricus here, he looks like a guy who’s just been deflated,” AJ observed. “He’s like ‘fuck, I gotta do this again.'”
Dave noted the champion’s deteriorating condition: “It looks like he’s aging during the fight.”
The crew discussed whether the referee should consider stopping the fight due to a lack of intelligent defense. However, they agreed that du Plessis wasn’t in immediate danger of serious injury.
Round 4: Controversial Officiating
The fourth round brought controversy when referee Marc Goddard stood the fighters up from a dominant position for Chimaev, much to the crew’s dismay.
“You can’t do that! What is Mark Goddard doing?” Dave protested. “Just because the crowd is booing doesn’t mean they should influence your refereeing.”
Fred agreed: “That’s ridiculous, you can’t do that.”
The stand-up proved meaningless as Chimaev immediately secured another takedown, but it highlighted the crew’s expertise in recognizing poor officiating.
Round 5: Sealing the Victory
Despite another questionable stand-up in the final round, Chimaev’s dominance never wavered. When du Plessis briefly got on top following the referee’s intervention, it only served to highlight how superior Chimaev’s grappling truly was.
“If Khamzat loses, gets knocked out here, it’s Mark Goddard’s fault,” Dave said, though Chimaev quickly regained control.
The final scorecards reflected the one-sided nature of the contest: 50-44 across all three judges, with multiple rounds scored 10-8 in Chimaev’s favor.
UFC 319 Post-Fight Analysis: A New Era Begins
The crew’s analysis of the main event centered on the historic nature of Chimaev’s performance and what it meant for the middleweight division.
“Khamzat should win a unanimous decision, all five rounds on my scorecard,” Dave predicted correctly. “50-45 or 50-43 maybe, a couple 10-8s in there.”
AJ emphasized the skill gap: “That was a wrestling clinic. It just goes to show you, you could be the champ for a long time, but when you’re missing something, which is his wrestling and his wrestling defense, that got exposed tonight big time.”
The crew discussed the implications for du Plessis’s future: “Does it mentally break him where in his next fight he loses too, and then he goes on a little skid?” Dave wondered.
For Chimaev, they saw a long championship reign ahead: “After what we’ve seen from Khamzat tonight, it’s going to be hard to pick against him in any fights anytime soon,” Dave concluded.
The Night’s Verdict
UFC 319 delivered everything fans could want: shocking upsets, technical brilliance, historic moments, and a changing of the guard at middleweight. The Ringside Report crew’s live reactions captured the raw excitement and expertise that make their watch-alongs essential viewing for MMA fans.
From Tim Elliott’s veteran guile to Khamzat Chimaev’s wrestling mastery, from unprecedented spinning elbow knockouts to controversial refereeing, the night provided enough talking points to last until the next pay-per-view. However, the celebration was tempered by the solemn reminder of MMA’s inherent dangers, as Aaron Pico’s hospitalization following his knockout loss served as a sobering counterpoint to the technical brilliance on display.
As Dave noted in closing: “Congratulations to Khamzat Chimaev, your new UFC middleweight champion.” The era of “Borz” had officially begun, and the Ringside Report crew had provided the perfect soundtrack to witness it unfold.
The combination of expert analysis, genuine reactions, and the camaraderie between Dave, AJ, and Fred made this watch-along a perfect complement to one of the most memorable nights in recent UFC history. Their ability to break down the technical aspects while maintaining the excitement of casual fans created the ideal viewing experience for MMA enthusiasts at every level.
Written By:
Jon Simon from the Editorial Staff
read more at The Lunch Pro
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Colby’s Gone, Dana’s Wrong, and UFC Freedom 250 Has Real Problems
Three stories are colliding in MMA right now, and none of them are particularly flattering for the sport. Colby Covington is out of the UFC after going once-a-year for five years and losing four of his last six — then finding himself off the White House guest list despite being Trump’s loudest MMA supporter for a decade. Trump’s actual favorite fighter? Khabib. UFC Freedom 250 is June 14 on the White House lawn with Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje and Alex Pereira vs. Cyril Gane, but the UFC is running its own judges with no government athletic commission in place, it’s going to be 80-plus degrees outside with insects swarming the lights, and 50,000 people are watching on outdoor screens nearby. And Dana White told Time magazine that people who talk about their mental health publicly are giving young men permission to be weak. It’s the most dangerous thing he’s said in years — and the most revealing.
Saturday Night’s Main Event 2026 Preview + AEW Double or Nothing Picks
Wrestling Uncensored Episode 782 arrives the night before Saturday Night’s Main Event 2026 — and the timing couldn’t be better. Dave Simon and Johnny North go through the full SNME card: Penta vs. Ethan Page for the IC title, The Vision vs. Street Profits for the World Tag titles, the Jade Cargill six-woman tag with a title match in Italy on the line, Becky Lynch vs. Sol Ruca, and whether Paige and Brie’s Women’s Tag run finally ends against Lash Legend and Nia Jax. Plus the complete AEW Double or Nothing 2026 preview — Darby Allin defending against MJF in a hair vs. title main event, Ospreay vs. Samoa Joe in the Owen Hart Cup, FTR vs. Edge and Christian in an I Quit career-ending tag match, and Takeshita vs. Okada. And Brock Lesnar is back after a month-long retirement, with a contract, no explanation, and four F5s on Oba Femi.
McGregor vs. Holloway at UFC 329: The Rematch, the Odds, and Why MVP MMA 1 Made the UFC Look Untouchable
Conor McGregor is officially back. UFC 329, July 11, 2026, T-Mobile Arena — McGregor versus Max Holloway in a welterweight rematch at 170 pounds. The UFC announced it mid-MVP MMA 1, which was either perfect timing or a mercy kill depending on how you look at it. Because MVP MMA 1 was not the show the sport needed. Ronda Rousey submitted Gina Carano in 17 seconds, then retired on the microphone. Junior dos Santos and Francis Ngannou were involved in mismatches. The broadcast felt decades behind. Meanwhile, the UFC is heading into the most ambitious summer in company history — Freedom 250 at the White House on June 14th, Makhachev vs. Gaethje for the lightweight title, Pereira vs. Gane for the interim heavyweight belt, and a full UFC 329 card built around the return of the sport’s biggest star. The gap between the real sport and everything else has never looked wider.
Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther Heads to Italy, Sammy Guevara Gets His Shot, and AEW Double or Nothing 2026 Is One Week Away
AEW Double or Nothing 2026 is one week away with Darby Allin defending against MJF in a hair vs. title main event. Dave Simon and Johnny North break down the full card, lock in Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther for Clash in Italy, and dig into Bron Breakker, Sami Zayn, and a possible Asuka exit on Episode 781.