A viral moment changed everything for UFC 319. When Khamzat Chimaev effortlessly picked up and spun former heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier like a rag doll, it sent shockwaves through the MMA world and completely shifted expert predictions for Saturday’s middleweight title fight against Dricus du Plessis. Ringside Report’s Dave Simon and AJ D’Alesio break down why this display of freakish strength means Chimaev destroys the champion, plus complete betting breakdowns and fight analysis.
The combat sports world witnessed something extraordinary this week that completely shifted the narrative heading into UFC 319. When Khamzat Chimaev effortlessly picked up and spun former heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier like a rag doll outside a Chicago hotel, it sent shockwaves through the MMA community—and completely changed how Ringside Report’s Dave Simon and AJ D’Alesio are viewing Saturday night’s middleweight title fight.
The Moment That Changed Everything
The viral video of Chimaev’s display of raw strength against DC wasn’t just impressive—it was paradigm-shifting for anyone analyzing the upcoming title bout against Dricus du Plessis.
“It’s crazy. You got to show it. Can you show it? I can’t show it. I can’t show it. It’s why our property is that we can’t do it. But I’ll tell you this. It’s, it was, it’s a crazy video,” Dave explained during Thursday night’s live Ringside Report MMA show.
AJ was even more direct about the impact: “That DC. Whoa. Like, in the air, it was like a little rag doll. And even DC himself said that no one in his life has ever picked him up like that. And Khamzat was smiling and enjoying it. Any, like when I saw that, and I was talking with some people earlier today, and we were just talking about that. And I said, that was enough for me to convince myself that he’s going to win.”
The display was particularly shocking because DC, weighing around 240 pounds and being a former Olympic wrestler and heavyweight champion, knows how to keep his base. Yet Chimaev made it look effortless.
“He grabs them, picks them up, and spins them around with DC’s legs in the air. DC is like 240 pounds. He’s a big man. I think a little bit more. He might be more. He’s big. He’s a former heavyweight champion of the world and an Olympic wrestler. He knows how to keep his base. He didn’t want Khamzat to pick him up and spin him around like that,” Dave noted.
End of Pay Per View? Thumbnail
UFC’s Revolutionary Broadcasting Deal
Before diving into fight predictions, the hosts addressed the seismic shift in how fans will consume UFC content. The promotion’s landmark $7.7 billion deal with CBS/Paramount over seven years represents the end of pay-per-view as we know it in the United States.
“This is the end of paper view, at least in the United States, for the UFC,” Dave announced. “The UFC never in their history have they been off pay-per-view. This model changes everything for them.”
The deal means numbered UFC events—the traditional pay-per-views costing $50-70—will air free on CBS network television. But this raises questions about start times and international availability.
“But are we reading too much into it? Like, what was that? Do you see in Hamzad or buddies to like out? I don’t know. Do DC, DC was, and look, but that’s the edge when it comes to betting. Like, you know, people say, okay, what does it take to have an edge?” AJ explained their analytical approach.
For Canadian fans, the situation remains murky. While Sportsnet holds certain UFC rights in Canada, it’s unclear how the CBS deal will affect northern viewers. Dave expressed optimism that major events would still be accessible.
Coming into UFC 319, both hosts were leaning toward the champion Dricus du Plessis. The South African has proven durable and dangerous, while questions lingered about Chimaev’s cardio in five-round fights. Then came “the waltz.”
“But you grab you’ve been grappling for a long time. I’ve been grappling for a long time. We like to let anybody pick me up. We like to wrestle like that. No one’s doing right. You know what I mean? Like, that’s hard to do to another guy who’s not just like, who weighs, you know what I mean?” Dave emphasized, highlighting the technical difficulty of what Chimaev accomplished.
The strength display convinced both hosts that Chimaev (-250 favorite) is coming in at peak physical condition. More importantly, it demonstrated a level of strength that could neutralize du Plessis’s size and power advantages.
“I think we either see Dricus come at tap in the first or second, or we see Dricus get a late TKO or even a decision. I think it goes one or two ways. And I think it could easily go Dricus’ way because up until I saw the video of Hamzat spinning DC, I thought that it would go the Dricus way,” Dave admitted.
The Pressure and Pace Factor
AJ believes Chimaev’s pressure grappling, combined with improved striking, will overwhelm the champion: “I think in the first round, it’s going to be a mauling. I think he can go to the distance. Everybody thinks that Hamzad can’t go five rounds and that kind of stuff. I think that’s completely untrue.”
The hosts also noted Chimaev’s work with TJ Dillashaw’s strength and conditioning coach. The same coach worked with Dillashaw when the former bantamweight champion was later suspended for EPO use. While not making accusations, the timing and Chimaev’s improved physical appearance raised eyebrows.
Co-Main Event: Pico’s UFC Debut
Aaron Pico makes his long-awaited UFC debut against the undefeated Lerone Murphy in a potential title eliminator at featherweight. Despite Pico’s wrestling pedigree and 13-4 Bellator record, both hosts favour Murphy.
“I think it’s tough to win your UFC debut. Especially against an undefeated UFC fighter who’s been winning in the UFC and’s on a roll,” Dave explained his reasoning for backing Murphy at +140.
“What people don’t realize is that the UFC is the big stage and there’s a reason why guys are there, and they might not be ranked on the top 10, but man, they’re just as dangerous as some of the champions in other organizations,” AJ added.
Notable Storylines
The Fastest Turnaround Ever
The card features an unprecedented situation with Bisangur Osmanov, who won on the Dana White Contender Series Tuesday night and is already fighting again on Saturday’s prelims against Erik Nolan.
“That’s never happened before. Are you with me? Got signed to the UFC on Tuesday. He fought. He won in the first round. And now he’s going to fight again for the UFC officially on the pay-per-view prelim card on Saturday,” Dave marveled.
Michael “Venom” Page vs. Jared Cannonier
The welterweight bout between former Bellator star MVP and hard-hitting veteran Cannonier represents an intriguing style clash that both hosts favor Page to win.
Placing your bets? Use our link at bet99.ringsidereport.net
Team Predictions and Parlays
Dave’s Three-Fight Parlay
Michael “Venom” Page (-200)
Carlos Prates (-250) over Jeff Neal
Bisangur Osmanov (-1200) over Erik Nolan
“Three fight parlay. It’s UFC 319. Team Dave is going to go with Michael Venom Page minus 200, Carlos Prates minus 250, and Bisangur Osmanov says Bet 99,” Dave announced.
AJ’s Four-Fight Parlay
Michael “Venom” Page
Lerone Murphy (+140)
Kai Asakura over Tim Elliott
Khamzat Chimaev (-250)
“$20 that could get you 130. Damn. Big payout on that one,” Dave calculated for AJ’s higher-risk, higher-reward selection.
The Bottom Line
What started as a competitive analysis of two elite middleweights transformed into something entirely different when Chimaev demonstrated freakish strength against a former heavyweight champion. Sometimes in combat sports, a single moment can crystallize everything—and “the waltz” was that moment for UFC 319.
Whether it’s legitimate insight or psychological warfare, Chimaev’s effortless display of power has shifted the narrative. Saturday night in Chicago, we’ll discover if that moment of strength translates to championship gold.
“And you know what, like, you know, that can not just walk away. Everybody thought he would be walking away, you know, and all that kind of stuff when the original sale went through, you know, the guy is just on top of everything. Right. The guy is a genius, man,” AJ said of Dana White’s continued success.
The UFC’s evolution continues with its historic broadcast deal, while in the Octagon, the next generation looks to seize the spotlight. It all unfolds Saturday night at UFC 319.
UFC 319 Breakdown: Why Chimaev DESTROYS Dricus After DC Video 4
🎯 Don’t miss Dave, Fred, and AJ for the live UFC 319 Watch-Along this Saturday, August 16th at 10 PM ET as the main card begins!
📺 Watch Ringside Report live on YouTube, Rumble, Twitch, DLive, and Kick.
🎧 Listen to the podcast on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
💰 All betting odds courtesy of Bet99.com
🌐 Visit RingsideReport.net for complete fight analysis and combat sports authority!
The Ringside Report Network website contains links to affiliate websites, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases you make on the affiliate website using such links, including Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated websites.
UFC 319 Breakdown: Why Chimaev DESTROYS Dricus After DC Video
The combat sports world witnessed something extraordinary this week that completely shifted the narrative heading into UFC 319. When Khamzat Chimaev effortlessly picked up and spun former heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier like a rag doll outside a Chicago hotel, it sent shockwaves through the MMA community—and completely changed how Ringside Report’s Dave Simon and AJ D’Alesio are viewing Saturday night’s middleweight title fight.
The Moment That Changed Everything
The viral video of Chimaev’s display of raw strength against DC wasn’t just impressive—it was paradigm-shifting for anyone analyzing the upcoming title bout against Dricus du Plessis.
“It’s crazy. You got to show it. Can you show it? I can’t show it. I can’t show it. It’s why our property is that we can’t do it. But I’ll tell you this. It’s, it was, it’s a crazy video,” Dave explained during Thursday night’s live Ringside Report MMA show.
AJ was even more direct about the impact: “That DC. Whoa. Like, in the air, it was like a little rag doll. And even DC himself said that no one in his life has ever picked him up like that. And Khamzat was smiling and enjoying it. Any, like when I saw that, and I was talking with some people earlier today, and we were just talking about that. And I said, that was enough for me to convince myself that he’s going to win.”
The display was particularly shocking because DC, weighing around 240 pounds and being a former Olympic wrestler and heavyweight champion, knows how to keep his base. Yet Chimaev made it look effortless.
“He grabs them, picks them up, and spins them around with DC’s legs in the air. DC is like 240 pounds. He’s a big man. I think a little bit more. He might be more. He’s big. He’s a former heavyweight champion of the world and an Olympic wrestler. He knows how to keep his base. He didn’t want Khamzat to pick him up and spin him around like that,” Dave noted.
UFC’s Revolutionary Broadcasting Deal
Before diving into fight predictions, the hosts addressed the seismic shift in how fans will consume UFC content. The promotion’s landmark $7.7 billion deal with CBS/Paramount over seven years represents the end of pay-per-view as we know it in the United States.
“This is the end of paper view, at least in the United States, for the UFC,” Dave announced. “The UFC never in their history have they been off pay-per-view. This model changes everything for them.”
The deal means numbered UFC events—the traditional pay-per-views costing $50-70—will air free on CBS network television. But this raises questions about start times and international availability.
“But are we reading too much into it? Like, what was that? Do you see in Hamzad or buddies to like out? I don’t know. Do DC, DC was, and look, but that’s the edge when it comes to betting. Like, you know, people say, okay, what does it take to have an edge?” AJ explained their analytical approach.
For Canadian fans, the situation remains murky. While Sportsnet holds certain UFC rights in Canada, it’s unclear how the CBS deal will affect northern viewers. Dave expressed optimism that major events would still be accessible.
Main Event Breakdown: Chimaev vs. Du Plessis
Coming into UFC 319, both hosts were leaning toward the champion Dricus du Plessis. The South African has proven durable and dangerous, while questions lingered about Chimaev’s cardio in five-round fights. Then came “the waltz.”
“But you grab you’ve been grappling for a long time. I’ve been grappling for a long time. We like to let anybody pick me up. We like to wrestle like that. No one’s doing right. You know what I mean? Like, that’s hard to do to another guy who’s not just like, who weighs, you know what I mean?” Dave emphasized, highlighting the technical difficulty of what Chimaev accomplished.
The strength display convinced both hosts that Chimaev (-250 favorite) is coming in at peak physical condition. More importantly, it demonstrated a level of strength that could neutralize du Plessis’s size and power advantages.
“I think we either see Dricus come at tap in the first or second, or we see Dricus get a late TKO or even a decision. I think it goes one or two ways. And I think it could easily go Dricus’ way because up until I saw the video of Hamzat spinning DC, I thought that it would go the Dricus way,” Dave admitted.
The Pressure and Pace Factor
AJ believes Chimaev’s pressure grappling, combined with improved striking, will overwhelm the champion: “I think in the first round, it’s going to be a mauling. I think he can go to the distance. Everybody thinks that Hamzad can’t go five rounds and that kind of stuff. I think that’s completely untrue.”
The hosts also noted Chimaev’s work with TJ Dillashaw’s strength and conditioning coach. The same coach worked with Dillashaw when the former bantamweight champion was later suspended for EPO use. While not making accusations, the timing and Chimaev’s improved physical appearance raised eyebrows.
Co-Main Event: Pico’s UFC Debut
Aaron Pico makes his long-awaited UFC debut against the undefeated Lerone Murphy in a potential title eliminator at featherweight. Despite Pico’s wrestling pedigree and 13-4 Bellator record, both hosts favour Murphy.
“I think it’s tough to win your UFC debut. Especially against an undefeated UFC fighter who’s been winning in the UFC and’s on a roll,” Dave explained his reasoning for backing Murphy at +140.
“What people don’t realize is that the UFC is the big stage and there’s a reason why guys are there, and they might not be ranked on the top 10, but man, they’re just as dangerous as some of the champions in other organizations,” AJ added.
Notable Storylines
The Fastest Turnaround Ever
The card features an unprecedented situation with Bisangur Osmanov, who won on the Dana White Contender Series Tuesday night and is already fighting again on Saturday’s prelims against Erik Nolan.
“That’s never happened before. Are you with me? Got signed to the UFC on Tuesday. He fought. He won in the first round. And now he’s going to fight again for the UFC officially on the pay-per-view prelim card on Saturday,” Dave marveled.
Michael “Venom” Page vs. Jared Cannonier
The welterweight bout between former Bellator star MVP and hard-hitting veteran Cannonier represents an intriguing style clash that both hosts favor Page to win.
Team Predictions and Parlays
Dave’s Three-Fight Parlay
“Three fight parlay. It’s UFC 319. Team Dave is going to go with Michael Venom Page minus 200, Carlos Prates minus 250, and Bisangur Osmanov says Bet 99,” Dave announced.
AJ’s Four-Fight Parlay
“$20 that could get you 130. Damn. Big payout on that one,” Dave calculated for AJ’s higher-risk, higher-reward selection.
The Bottom Line
What started as a competitive analysis of two elite middleweights transformed into something entirely different when Chimaev demonstrated freakish strength against a former heavyweight champion. Sometimes in combat sports, a single moment can crystallize everything—and “the waltz” was that moment for UFC 319.
Whether it’s legitimate insight or psychological warfare, Chimaev’s effortless display of power has shifted the narrative. Saturday night in Chicago, we’ll discover if that moment of strength translates to championship gold.
“And you know what, like, you know, that can not just walk away. Everybody thought he would be walking away, you know, and all that kind of stuff when the original sale went through, you know, the guy is just on top of everything. Right. The guy is a genius, man,” AJ said of Dana White’s continued success.
The UFC’s evolution continues with its historic broadcast deal, while in the Octagon, the next generation looks to seize the spotlight. It all unfolds Saturday night at UFC 319.
🎯 Don’t miss Dave, Fred, and AJ for the live UFC 319 Watch-Along this Saturday, August 16th at 10 PM ET as the main card begins!
📺 Watch Ringside Report live on YouTube, Rumble, Twitch, DLive, and Kick.
🎧 Listen to the podcast on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
💰 All betting odds courtesy of Bet99.com
🌐 Visit RingsideReport.net for complete fight analysis and combat sports authority!
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