Khamzat Chimaev vs. Dricus du Plessis: UFC 319 Set for a Chicago Showdown
Khamzat Chimaev’s long-awaited title shot is finally here. The undefeated star will face middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis in the main event of UFC 319 on August 16, 2025. With two unstoppable forces colliding in Chicago, fans are bracing for a night of chaos and history.
Mark Your Calendar: August 16, 2025
Yep, it’s official — Khamzat Chimaev is fighting next on Saturday, August 16, 2025, headlining UFC 319 in Chicago. He’s taking on middleweight champ Dricus du Plessis for the belt at the United Center. Main card fires up at 10 PM ET on ESPN+ pay-per-view. If you’re a “smash everyone” Chimaev fan, this is the date you’ve been waiting for.
@errolsam highlighted the electrifying matchup between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev, calling it a title fight no fan can afford to miss. With the clash set for #UFC319, anticipation is already running high.
@JakeGerberMMA captured the intensity of the moment, sharing a heated face-off between Khamzat Chimaev and Dricus Du Plessis as tensions rise ahead of their clash.
How Did He Get Here So Fast?
Chimaev earned this shot after wrecking former champ Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 last October. First-round face crank, Whittaker tapping, jaw busted — it was brutal. That win pushed his record to 14-0, with eight UFC fights that have barely even lasted 49 minutes total. Six first-round finishes. Four “Performance of the Night” bonuses. The guy doesn’t just win; he makes it look unfair.
Who Exactly is Dricus du Plessis?
Du Plessis isn’t just holding the belt — he’s earned it. He beat Sean Strickland for the title, then defended it against Israel Adesanya (submitting him, which is still wild to say out loud) and took out Strickland again in a rematch. That makes him one of the toughest champs the middleweight division has seen in a while. He’s awkward, scrappy, and ridiculously durable — the kind of guy who doesn’t go away no matter how many punches you land.
Why This Fight Feels Different
This isn’t just another title fight. It’s one of those rare moments where two freight trains collide. Chimaev blitzes people from the first bell, du Plessis thrives in the grind. One’s pure chaos, the other thrives in ugly wars. Honestly, I can’t picture this fight being boring. Chicago fans haven’t had a UFC event since 2019, and they’re about to lose their voices halfway through the prelims, long before these two even touch gloves.
The Rest of the Card is Sneaky Good
While all eyes are on Chimaev vs. du Plessis, the undercard has some heat too:
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Lerone Murphy vs. Aaron Pico (co-main, featherweight) – Pico’s long-awaited UFC debut.
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Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates (welterweight war).
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Jared Cannonier vs. Michael “MVP” Page (middleweight fireworks).
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Tim Elliott vs. Kai Asakura (flyweight chaos).
Pretty stacked night, especially for Chicago’s return.
How to Watch Khamzat Chimaev vs. Dricus du Plessis in the US?
If you’re in the U.S. and wondering how to catch all the action, here’s the breakdown.
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Event: UFC 319
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Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
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Venue: United Center, Chicago
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Main Card: 10 PM ET — streaming exclusively on ESPN+ pay-per-view
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Prelims: Kick off at 6 PM ET on ESPN, ESPN+, and Disney+
Pretty simple: grab ESPN+ for the main card, flip on ESPN or Disney+ for the prelims, and you’re set for a stacked night in Chicago.
