Du Plessis makes his third championship defense after defeating Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya

16 August 2025 - 4:02 pm

Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev will face off in a highly anticipated middleweight title fight at UFC 319. It takes place tomorrow night at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.

du Plessis enters the main event with the goal of further solidifying his legacy in the middleweight division. A victory over Chimaev would be a significant milestone in his career. Given ‘Borz’s reputation, a win could push him in the pound-for-pound discussions.

Chimaev has made a massive impact since joining the UFC. He boasts an undefeated 14-0 professional record, having competed in both the middleweight and welterweight divisions. ‘Borz’ earned his title shot after wins over Kamaru Usman and former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker.

Both fighters are very confident in their respective styles, making for an exciting an unpredictable headliner.

UFC 319 features Dricus Du Plessis against Khamzat Chimaev, live from the United Center in Chicago, IL, on Saturday, August 16. Du Plessis puts his middleweight title on the line.

South Africa’s Du Plessis (23-2) makes his third championship defense after defeating Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya. Unbeaten No. 3-ranked contender Chimaev (14-0) makes his first attempt at the title after submitting Robert Whittaker in the first round last October. The final face-off between the two got a bit physical.

In the co-main event, Lerone Murphy takes on UFC newcomer Aaron Pico at featherweight. Unbeaten Murphy (16-0-1) of England defeated Josh Emmett by unanimous decision in April. Pico (13-4) of Whittier, CA, fights for the first time since last February and aims for his fourth straight victory.

Also on the card is a welterweight battle between Geoff Neal (16-6) of Austin, TX, and Carlos Prates (21-7) of Brazil. Another middleweight matchup pits Jared Cannonier (18-8) of Dallas, TX, against England’s Michael “Venom” Page (23-3). Plus, Tim Elliott (21-13-1) of Arkansas City, KS, and Kai Asakura (21-5) of Japan clash at flyweight.

Main card (10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT)

  • Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev
  • Lerone Murphy vs. Aaron Pico
  • Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates
  • Jared Cannonier vs. Michael Page
  • Tim Elliott vs. Kai Asakura

Prelims (8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT)

  • Baysangur Susurkaev vs. Eric Nolan
  • Gerald Meerschaert vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk
  • Jessica Andrade vs. Loopy Godinez
  • Chase Hooper vs. Alexander Hernandez
  • Edson Barboza vs. Drakkar Klose
  • Karine Silva vs. Dione Barbosa.