The UFC middleweight championship will be contested this Saturday at UFC 319, where reigning titleholder Dricus du Plessis will defend against challenger Khamzat Chimaev in Chicago. This highly anticipated matchup marks Chimaev’s opportunity to claim the UFC belt after overcoming numerous setbacks, making the Khamzat Chimaev UFC title fight one of the most eagerly awaited bouts of the year.
Champion Dricus du Plessis’s Unconventional Rise in the Middleweight Division
Dricus du Plessis entered the UFC with a style that many viewed as awkward and unpredictable, initially placing him mid-rank among middleweights. However, he transformed this style into a complex challenge that opponents have struggled to decipher. Du Plessis has secured victories over multiple former champions and defended his title twice, establishing his reputation as a formidable and adaptable middleweight champion.
Khamzat Chimaev’s Journey to a Long-Awaited Title Shot
Khamzat Chimaev quickly gained attention in the UFC by dominating early opponents with decisive finishes, positioning himself as a strong contender for championship gold. His path has been hindered by a series of injuries, illnesses, and visa complications, which limited his fights over the past few years. After enduring these obstacles, Chimaev finally secured a title opportunity, aiming to validate the potential that many have seen in him since his UFC debut.
Complete UFC 319 Fight Card and Betting Odds
The UFC 319 fight card features an extensive lineup of bouts across multiple divisions, headlined by the middleweight title fight. The betting odds reflect the expectations and betting trends for these matches:
- 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
- Michal Oleksiejczuk -220 vs. Gerald Meerschaert +180, middleweights
- Loopy Godinez -150 vs. Jessica Andrade +125, women’s strawweights
- Chase Hooper -330 vs. Alexander Hernandez +260, lightweights
- Edson Barboza -160 vs. Drakkar Klose +135, lightweights
- Bryan Battle -170 vs. Nursulton Ruziboev +145, middleweights
- Karine Silva -230 vs. Dione Barbosa +190, women’s flyweights
Insights and Predictions from UFC Experts on the Main Event
The CBS Sports team has shared their evaluations and predictions for the UFC 319 main card, focusing heavily on the middleweight title clash. Contributors include writers Brent Brookhouse and Brian Campbell, producer Michael Mormile, writer Shakiel Mahjouri, and senior editor Brandon Wise.
Evaluating Du Plessis vs. Chimaev: Strengths and Challenges
Brian Campbell notes that Chimaev’s dominant performances in at least six of his eight UFC fights make him a clear favorite, especially after a first-round victory over former champion Robert Whittaker. However, Campbell cautions against overlooking du Plessis due to Chimaev’s history of inconsistencies such as missing weight and limited activity over recent years caused by injuries and travel issues. Campbell also highlights du Plessis’s resilience and capability to succeed in close fights, especially in championship rounds where Chimaev has yet to show sustained endurance:
“It remains difficult to count him out, especially if this fight goes into the championship rounds, where Chimaev (who faded in Round 3 of his 2022 win over Kamaru Usman) has never been. DDP will need to be careful on the ground, for sure. But he’s very good to great in every category and knows how to win close fights.” —Brian Campbell, Combat sports writer
Brent Brookhouse emphasizes Chimaev’s relentless takedown ability and ground control but points out the challenger’s cardio issues beyond the first round. He contrasts this with du Plessis’s steady pressure and endurance, asserting that du Plessis’s awkward style combined with his gas tank could allow him to dictate the pace if he can endure the initial round:
“There is no doubt that Chimaev is a unique animal. He takes guys down and rips through their defenses with regularity. But he also hasn’t shown the greatest cardio when he’s been pushed past the first round. If there’s one thing du Plessis has, it’s a deep gas tank, even when he looks like he’s tiring.” —Brent Brookhouse, Combat sports writer
Preview of Other Key Fights: Focus on Pico vs. Murphy and Prates vs. Neal
The featherweight contest between Aaron Pico and Lerone Murphy carries high stakes, with UFC eyeing a strong future for Pico. Brian Campbell outlines Pico’s potential while cautioning about the technical skills Murphy brings, highlighting that a victory for Pico could fast-track him to a title opportunity. Campbell stresses Pico’s need to leverage wrestling and cage control while remaining defensively sound:
“If Pico is going to finally capitalize on his insane potential, now would be the time at age 28 in his long-awaited UFC debut. Should Pico get the win, a title shot is likely in order.” —Brian Campbell, Combat sports writer
Shakiel Mahjouri reassessed his initial pick in favor of Murphy after analyzing takedown defense statistics, believing Pico’s boxing and wrestling could exhaust Murphy by the later rounds, ultimately giving the debutant the edge:
“If Pico can make Murphy work, he’ll fatigue him by the end of Round 2. Pico via decision.” —Shakiel Mahjouri, Writer
In the welterweight bout, Carlos Prates is favored against Geoff Neal, with expectations that Prates’s pressure and skill will challenge Neal significantly. Brent Brookhouse portrays Neal as a dangerous striker but likely overwhelmed by Prates’s volume and power, predicting a tough night for Neal:
“This is likely going to be a long night for Neal, or a short one if Prates does what he does best.” —Brent Brookhouse, Combat sports writer
Shakiel Mahjouri adds that while Neal’s power is formidable, Prates’s consistency and strategy may result in a decision or a finish, possibly in the third round:
“Prates should find a finish in Round 3 or, at least, a decision.” —Shakiel Mahjouri, Writer
The Significance of UFC 319 and What Lies Ahead
UFC 319 represents a pivotal moment for the middleweight division, potentially shifting the championship landscape with Khamzat Chimaev’s challenge to Dricus du Plessis. For Chimaev, securing the title would confirm his status as a dominant force despite previous hurdles. For du Plessis, a successful defense would cement his legacy and validate his unconventional style against one of the UFC’s most dynamic talents.
With a stacked fight card and expert predictions signaling intense battles across divisions, UFC 319 is set to have far-reaching implications, shaping contender rankings and title trajectories in the coming months. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as this critical event unfolds in Chicago.