This Saturday night, UFC 319 is scheduled to take place in Chicago, Illinois. UFC Undisputed Middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis is defending his title against undefeated phenom Khamzat Chimaev.
Along with traditional sports betting and daily fantasy, you can now have more action than ever for UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev. Check out DraftKings UFC Pick6! Here are my favorite picks for Saturday’s UFC card.
Dricus Du Plessis More Than 52.5 Fantasy Points
Dricus Du Plessis is the reigning and defending champion, and despite facing an undefeated contender, his total of 52.5 fantasy points is too low. He has surpassed his mark in his previous five contests with 104-plus fantasy points in each. DDP scored under 100 points in his last fight against Sean Strickland, but he still finished with 94.4.
In this matchup, Du Plessis needs to be aggressive and match Chimaev’s relentless pace to retain his title and deliver an elite performance. Can DDP hand Chimaev his first career loss? That remains to be seen, but he possesses the skills to hurt Chimaev with his versatile game.
Khamzat Chimaev More Than 105.5 Fantasy Points
Chimaev has been another phenomenal fantasy performer, like his opponent, Du Plessis, and although his total is higher, it shouldn’t deter you. Chimaev boasts an undefeated 14-0 record, with 12 career finishes, and has been dominant since entering the UFC Octagon.
This Main Event has all the makings of a close fight as both competitors are talented in each area. Chimaev averages more takedowns per 15 minutes (4.31 vs. 2.55), but Du Plessis lands more significant strikes per minute (6.12 vs. 5.36). Chimaev has recently proved that even if he fights to a decision, he makes an elite impact. Until Chimaev shows signs of weakness, it is wise to get him to record more than 105.5 fantasy points, considering he is coming off a first-round submission win vs. Robert Whittaker.
Lerone Murphy More Than 59.5 Fantasy Points
Lerone “The Miracle” Murphy has been in the UFC since 2019, and all he has done is win. He has won eight straight fights since having a draw in his first bout in the promotion. After beating Josh Emmett in April, Murphy is taking on UFC newcomer Aaron Pico on short notice.
Fighting Pico without a whole camp is an interesting decision, but Murphy is attempting to earn a title opportunity, and this is a great way to do so. Pico is a lethal finisher, having won 11 of 13 fights by KO/TKO or submission. Murphy isn’t as powerful as Pico, but he is highly accurate on his feet. If Murphy uses his physical advantages to his benefit, he has a great chance to total 60 fantasy points.
Carlos Prates More Than 92.5 Fantasy Points
In April, Prates’ 11-fight unbeaten streak came to an end at the hands of Ian Machado Garry. Prates lost to Garry on short notice, but now he is back and has a chance to get back on track against Geoff Neal. Before his previous loss, Prates won 10 straight fights by a knockout in the first or second round.
Prates wasn’t aggressive in his last fight, and Garry did an excellent job of not allowing him to get into rhythm. Now, Prates faces fellow knockout artist Neal. Prates has a three-inch reach advantage in this matchup and must keep Neal at range. If he does so, Prates should be able to bounce back in this contest. Prates scored at least 106 fantasy points in three bouts in a row before his recent defeat.
Jared Cannonier More Than 1:30 Control Times
After fighting five straight fight nights, Cannonier is back on a UFC PPV. After going 0-2 in 2024, the 41-year-old proved that he still has a lot left when he knocked out Gregory Rodrigues in February. This Saturday, Cannonier has a tough challenge in front of him, with Michael “Venom” Page.
Page began his UFC career in the Welterweight division but moved to 185 pounds. He defeated Shara “Bullet” Magomedov in his first bout in the division. Page fits in perfectly at this weight class, standing 6’3″ tall with a 79″ standing reach, making him a tough matchup for anyone in the division.
But Cannonier has the tools to be effective in this contest. Cannonier averages over two more significant strikes per minute while being better on the ground. In Cannonier’s previous four fights, he has totaled more than 1:30 of control time three times.
Edson Barboza More Than 50.5 Fantasy Points
Barboza, 39, is coming off a loss to Lerone Murphy but won two straight fights before that. This is Barboza’s first bout since May 2024. Barboza is facing Drakkar Klose in a three-round lightweight bout. In this matchup, Barboza is taller by two inches (5’11” vs. 5’9″) and has a five-inch reach advantage (75″ vs. 70″).
Even though he lost his last fight, Barboza finished the bout with 79 significant strikes. Before that, Barboza totaled 164 significant strikes against Sodiq Yusuff. Barboza has an impressive 56 percent defensive rate, which should allow him to get the better of Klose on the feet.
What is DraftKings Pick6?
Pick6 is a peer-to-peer fantasy variant where you build a lineup (your “Pick Set”) of 2+ players and select whether or not you believe each will outperform their listed stat projection. Enter your Pick Set in Pick6 contests to compete against other users. Get enough picks correct and win a share of cash prizes.
How to Play DraftKings Pick6
Create a Pick Set
Create a Pick Set by choosing 2+ players from the same sport and Pick Group (a set of picks available from a group of set competitions). For each player, simply select if you think they’ll have more or less than their listed stat projection. In each Pick Set, you can not pick the same player twice, and you must pick players from at least two different teams.
Enter an Amount
Once you finalize your Pick Set, choose your entry fee amount. Your entries will be automatically distributed into available contests, subject to your confirmation.
Sweat Your Picks
When the games go live, use the My Picks tab to follow your picks in real time to track how your players are performing against their projections and how they stack up against other users.
Compete for Prizes
Make enough correct picks and win a share of the contests’ guaranteed prizes. Any prizes won will be credited to your DraftKings account after contests are finalized.
Play at DraftKings Pick6 or by downloading the DraftKings Pick6 app on Apple or Google!
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