Chicago to Host UFC 319 with Du Plessis vs. Chimaev

An intense moment from UFC 319 with fighters exchanging blows in the octagon.

News Summary

Chicago will host UFC 319, featuring Dricus Du Plessis defending his middleweight title against Khamzat Chimaev. Both fighters are undefeated, with Du Plessis having a remarkable streak of victories and Chimaev boasting an unblemished record. The event marks the UFC’s return to Chicago after several years, and fans are eagerly anticipating what promises to be a thrilling matchup in the middleweight division.

Chicago to Host UFC 319 Featuring Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev

Chicago, Illinois is set to host UFC 319 on August 16, where Dricus Du Plessis will defend his middleweight championship against Khamzat Chimaev in the highly anticipated main event. Both fighters are currently undefeated in the UFC, boasting an impressive combined record of 17 fights without a loss between them.

Dricus Du Plessis captured the middleweight title from Sean Strickland at UFC 297 and successfully defended it against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 and again against Strickland at UFC 312. His professional record stands at 23 wins and 2 losses, with a remarkable streak of 9 wins in the UFC.

Khamzat Chimaev earned his title shot by defeating former champion Robert Whittaker in a decisive finish at UFC 308. Chimaev, who is ranked No. 3 in the UFC’s middleweight division, holds an unblemished record of 14-0.

Fight Card Details

While Du Plessis vs. Chimaev headlines the event, the co-main event remains unannounced, currently marked as “TBD.” Other notable matchups on the main card include:

Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates (Welterweight)
Jared Cannonier vs. Michael “Venom” Page (Middleweight)
Tim Elliott vs. Kai Asakura (Flyweight)

Tim Elliott’s bout will be particularly noteworthy as it marks his return to competition after a year and a half away due to injury. The preliminary card is expected to feature fighters such as King Green and Jessica Andrade, among others.

Broadcast Information

UFC 319 will be available for viewing on ESPN+ via pay-per-view, with preliminary fights airing on ESPN and early prelims available on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass.

UFC’s Return to Chicago

This event is especially significant as it marks the UFC’s return to Chicago for the first time since 2019. The presence of Du Plessis and Chimaev has generated immense anticipation, with both fighters recognized as top competitors in the promotion.

As the fight date approaches, further updates regarding the card and official announcements are expected in the coming days. Fans eagerly await what promises to be an exciting showdown between two of the best in the middleweight division.

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Author: STAFF HERE CLEVELAND WRITER

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