UFC 319 will dictate the future of the middleweight division when Dricus Du Plessis defends against Khamzat Chimaev.
Chicago is set to be treated to an anticipated style clash between the unorthodox style of UFC middleweight champion Du Plessis and the supreme wrestling skills of Chimaev.
The other contenders of the division have had their say, with one favouring the ‘crazy’ style of ‘The Wolf’ but others like Reinier de Ridder believe the difficult Dricus could pull off another underdog win.
‘Borz’ won his last bout against Robert Whittaker in the first round with a dominant choke victory to guarantee him this world title shot.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
‘Stillknocks’ completed his second defence of his championship crown with a unanimous points win over Sean Strickland in their rematch.
Neither man is short on confidence, with both believing their unique assets will be enough to secure a victory in the Octagon.
Here is everything you need to know about UFC 319 Du Plessis vs Chimaev.
When is UFC 319 Du Plessis vs Chimaev?
UFC 319 Du Plessis vs Chimaev will take place at the United Center in Chicago on August 16th.
What time is UFC 319 Du Plessis vs Chimaev?
The UFC 319 Du Plessis vs Chimaev card is scheduled to start with the early preliminaries at 11:00 (BST), 6:00 PM (ET), 3:00 PM (PT).
The main Prelims start at 1:00 AM (BST), 8:00 PM (ET), 5:00 PM (PT).
The UFC 319 main card will begin coverage at 3:00 AM (BST), 10:00 PM (ET), 8:00 PM (PT).
Main event cage walks are estimated to take place at 5:00 AM (BST) but could be later depending on other fights.
What channel is UFC 319 Du Plessis vs Chimaev?
UFC 319 Du Plessis vs Chimaev will be streamed on TNT Sports and Discovery+.
The early prelims will be available on the UFC Fight Pass.
UFC 319 Du Plessis vs Chimaev Prelim cards
The early preliminary card is as follows:
Lightweight: Edson Barboza vs Drakkar KloseMiddleweight: Bryan Battle vs Nursulton RuziboevFlyweight: Karine Silva vs Dione Barbosa
The main preliminary card is as follows:
Lightweight: King Green vs Diego FerreiraMiddleweight: Gerald Meerschaert vs Michał OleksiejczukStrawweight: Jessica Andrade vs Loopy GodinezLightweight: Chase Hooper vs Alexander HernandezUFC 319 Du Plessis vs Chimaev Main card
The UFC 319 main card is as follows:
UFC Middleweight title: Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat ChimaevFeatherweight: Lerone Murphy vs Aaron PicoWelterweight: Geoff Neal vs Carlos PratesMiddleweight: Jared Cannonier vs Michael PageFlyweight: Tim Elliott vs Kai AsakuraDricus Du Plessis is not ‘bargaining’ on Khamzat Chimaev’s weakness at UFC 319
A criticism that has been levelled at the Chechen is that he gets tired when a fight goes the distance.
His performances against Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman are always brought up as examples of when he has failed to get the early finish, he faces some adversity with his gas tank.
However, the South African is not concerned with the potential of the Russian tiring; he is focused on his own fight.
Speaking to the New York Post, he said: “No, that’s not me. That’s never going to happen,” said du Plessis, a finisher who has gone the distance just three times as a pro. “You can’t go and say, ‘Oh, this guy always gets tired.’ What if he doesn’t?”
“You don’t bargain on somebody else’s weakness when you go and fight,” he added. “You don’t know what that guy’s going through, how he’s preparing. … When the ref says, ‘fight,’ I’m fighting as hard as I can for as long as I can.”
Whether Chimaev will tire remains to be seen, especially with a focus on cardio in camp, but one thing is for sure: both men are looking to finish the other in style.