Welcome to UFC 319: Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev
Get ready for an epic showdown as Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev are all set to face off in the main event of UFC 319. UFC CEO Dana White made the exciting announcement on Instagram Live, revealing that the middleweight title bout will take place on August 16 at the United Center in Chicago. This will mark the UFC’s return to the Windy City after a two-year hiatus since UFC 238 in 2019.
Du Plessis, who has been undefeated since joining the UFC in 2020, secured the middleweight title in 2024 by defeating Sean Strickland in a split decision at UFC 297. He later defended his title with a fourth-round submission victory over Israel Adesanya at UFC 305. In his most recent fight at UFC 312 in February, du Plessis further solidified his championship status with a unanimous decision win over Strickland in their rematch.
On the other hand, Chimaev has emerged as a breakout star in 2020, boasting an unbeaten record inside the octagon with eight wins, six of which came by stoppage. Despite facing availability issues in recent years, Chimaev’s electrifying performances have made him a fan favorite. His most recent highlight was a first-round submission victory over former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 308, earning him a well-deserved shot at the title.