Getty Images
UFC is back in the Windy City on Saturday night with its latest PPV offering. The main event is one of the best matchups possible on paper as middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis looks to defend his title against arguably the biggest star in the sport to never wear gold Khamzat Chimaev. It all goes down from the United Center in Chicago this weekend.
Du Plessis emerged from a group of contenders at middleweight to overtake the throne. DDP has won all nine of his UFC fights since making his debut in 2020 and owns wins over the division’s elite in former champions Sean Strickland (twice), Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya.
Chimaev, meanwhile, has had to wait for his opportunity after an incredible rapid rise upon his arrival. Chimaev also debuted in 2020 and won three fights in a record 65-day span. But injuries, illness and weight cutting problems have slowed his progress up the ladder. Saturday marks just his fourth fight in four years, but a win would make all the down time worth it for the Wolf.
The undercard features some interesting matchups on Saturday. Most notably, Aaron Pico is set to make his promotional debut when he takes on top prospect Lerone Murphy in the co-main event. Pico has been tabbed for greatness since before he even stepped foot inside a cage of any kind. The former Bellator MMA fighter struggled early in his career as he was put in against top fighters early. But he slowly found his footing and was closing in on title contention before Bellator was bought by PFL and his career stalled. Now, he gets a chance to make a splash in a prime slot.
UFC, Paramount+ announce landmark media rights agreement in exclusive partnership, nixing PPV model
Brad Crawford
Below is the complete fight card for UFC 319, along with the latest odds. Check back all week long for the latest news, features and other content around this massive event.
UFC 319 fight card, odds
- Khamzat Chimaev -220 vs. Dricus du Plessis (c) +180, middleweight title
- Aaron Pico -195 vs. Lerone Murphy +165 featherweights
- Carlos Prates -260 vs. Geoff Neal +210, welterweights
- Michael Page -180 vs. Jared Cannonier +150, middleweights
- Kai Asakura -300 vs. Tim Elliot +240, flyweights
- Baisangur Susurkaev -950 vs. Eric Nolan +625, middleweights
- Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Gerald Meerschaert via first-round TKO (punches)
- Loopy Godinez def. Jessica Andrade via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Alexander Hernandez def. Chase Hooper via first-round knockout (punches)
- Drakkar Klose def. Edson Barboza via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-29)
- Karine Silva def. Dione Barbosa via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Joseph Morales def. Alibi Idiris via second-round submission (triangle choke)
UFC 319 info
- Date: Aug. 16
- Location: United Center — Chicago
- Start time: 10 p.m. ET (Main card)
- How to watch: ESPN+ PPV
UFC 319 countdown
Who wins UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev, and how exactly does the fight end? Visit SportsLine now to get detailed picks and analysis from the incomparable expert who is up over $1,500 on his UFC main-card picks, and find out.