UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev Full Card, Odds

Khamzat Chimaev entered the UFC in 2020 and has had bumps along the way, but is on the doorstep of living up to previous expectations. Chimaev will challenge Dricus Du Plessis for the UFC Middleweight Championship in the Main Event of UFC 319. This event is taking place at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Saturday is the promotion’s first event in Chicago since UFC 238 in 2019.

From the second Chimaev stepped foot in the Octagon, he had everything befitting a future champion—an incredibly versatile skill set, accompanied by a unique charisma. Chimaev can join Ilia Topuria as the second active undefeated UFC Champion. Although Topuria has had an incredible stretch in title fights lately, Chimaev’s path to a shot at gold has been different. 

Since moving back to the middleweight division, Chimaev has defeated two former champions in Robert Whittaker and Kamaru Usman. Whittaker may be past his prime, but no one has dismantled “The Reaper” like “Borz” did in October 2024. 

Chimaev has a unique finishing ability that few possess in MMA history. Whether it is on the feet or the ground, Chimaev is always looking for the finish. He is currently 14-0 with 12 finishes. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Chimaev is a -258 favorite, while the champion is a +210 underdog. Fighters like Khamzat Chimaev are rare and don’t appear often. He possesses a level of confidence that forces everyone to believe every word he says.

But his opponent, the reigning and defending 185-pound champion, Dricus Du Plessis, is as tough as anyone in the middleweight division. The pride of South Africa has suffered two defeats in his career, but has won 11 straight fights, with his previous loss dating back to 2018. 

Like Chimaev, Du Plessis is also an incredible finisher. Something that makes the reigning champion special doesn’t show up on his resume or the stat sheet. His relentless ability to never give up on himself and find a way to win, even when it seems highly unlikely. 

Chimaev is highly talented and has a ton going for him, but there is one thing you can’t develop in the gym: championship experience. DDP has fought in three straight title fights, and each one was different, providing him with valuable information on how to prepare for each situation. This championship matchup is as good as any in recent memory. The odds favor Chimaev, but the fight is closer than the line suggests. Will DDP reign supreme, or can Chimaev fulfill his potential?

In the co-main event, Lerone “The Miracle” Murphy welcomes former Bellator contender Aaron Pico to the UFC. Pico is the third former Bellator fighter to enter the promotion in the last year. Patricio Pitbull and Patchy Mix were former Bellator champions but lost their first UFC fights. Although Pico isn’t a former title holder, at 28 years old, he is the freshest and most primed to translate to the UFC.

Pico began his combat sports journey as a wrestler but has recently continued to excel as a boxer, winning nine fights via knockout. Just like the Main Event, this fight is as close as it gets between two well-versed fighters with a great chance to increase their win streak. Murphy is a +154 underdog on DraftKings Sportsbook, while the UFC debutant is a -185 favorite.

The Early Prelims begin at 6:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+, with the Prelims starting at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Main Card starts at 10:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV. Check out the entire card below.

Main Card | 10:00 p.m. ET | ESPN+ PPV