UFC 319: Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev Preview & Prediction
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The main event may be the most exciting match-up of the year, as undefeated Russian phenom Khamzat Chimaev challenges reigning champion Dricus du Plessis for the UFC Middleweight strap.
Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev facts
What time are Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev expected to walk out?
Where is UFC 319: Du Plessis vs Chimaev? United Center, Chicago, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC 319: Du Plessis vs Chimaev? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC 319
What TV channel is UFC 319: Du Plessis vs Chimaev on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream UFC 319: Du Plessis vs Chimaev? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC 319: De Plessis vs Chimaev main card
Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev (Middleweight)
Lerone Murphy vs Aaron Pico (Featherweight)
Geoff Neal vs Carlos Prates (Welterweight)
Jared Cannonier vs Michael Page (Middleweight)
Tim Elliott vs Kai Asakura (Flyweight)
UFC 319: De Plessis vs Chimaev prelims
Gerald Meerschaert vs Michal Oleksiejczuk (Middleweight)
Baysangur Susurkaev vs Eric Nolan (Middleweight)
Jessica Andrade vs Loopy Godinez (Women’s Strawweight)
Chase Hooper vs Alexander Hernandez (Lightweight)
Edson Barboza vs Drakkar Klose (Lightweight)
Bryan Battle vs Nursulton Ruziboev (Middleweight)
Karine Silva vs Dione Barbosa (Women’s Flyweight)
Alibi Idiris vs Joseph Morales (Flyweight)
Dricus du Plessis: South African champion brimming with confidence
Dricus du Plessis (23-2) enters his third title defence riding an 11-fight winning streak, including an unblemished 9-0 record inside the UFC. The 31-year-old South African, known as “Stillknocks,” has repeatedly silenced doubters, taking out elite names like Sean Strickland (twice), Darren Till, Robert Whittaker, and most notably, submitting Israel Adesanya in his first defence.
An unorthodox striker with relentless forward pressure, DDP doesn’t always look textbook — but he’s incredibly effective. His pressure, toughness, and physical strength — shaped in part by his rugby background — make him a nightmare to deal with over five rounds. As he’s evolved, so too has his confidence, and he enters this bout as a battle-tested champion who's proven he can win when few believe he will.
Khamzat Chimaev: The Wolf is closing in on the crown
Khamzat Chimaev (14-0) has long been seen as a future UFC champion. The 31-year-old Chechen is 8-0 in the promotion and looked unstoppable in his last outing with a dominant first-round submission over Robert Whittaker that reminded everyone of his elite-level grappling.
Chimaev is known for his explosive starts, usually diving for takedowns within seconds and working quickly to secure dominant positions or a choke. He’s arguably the best grappler in the promotion. However, question marks have been raised about his cardio. Against Kamaru Usman, he earned a clear 10-8 in the first round, but visibly faded late and even lost the final two rounds on one judge’s scorecard. Additionally, in the war with Gilbert Burns, he was dropped and pushed to his limits after an aggressive start.
That said, Chimaev appears to have turned a corner. Gone are the days of missing weight for the Nate Diaz fight or gallivanting around with Darren Till. Now training in the Caucasus mountains, he seems more focused, composed, and committed to the lifestyle needed to be a world champion.
Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev prediction
This is truly the best versus the best in the middleweight division and the most anticipated fight of 2025. Both men are undefeated in the UFC and have compelling cases for victory. DDP has repeatedly proven he can overcome adversity and beat fighters many believed he couldn’t. His submission win over Adesanya is the clearest example of this.
Chimaev, however, looks like a man transformed. With his distractions seemingly behind him and a renewed commitment to his craft, he looks primed for gold. If his gas tank holds, few can handle his grappling storm for long. This feels like the right moment for him to break through and capture gold.
Prediction: Khamzat Chimaev by submission
