UFC 319 has its main event, and it’s a big one.
The Chicago-based Pay-Per-View is set to be topped by middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis, taking on the unbeaten juggernaut that is Khamzat Chimaev (14-0).
UFC officials including promotion President and CEO Dana White revealed the news on Tuesday. UFC 319 takes place on August 16, 2025 at the United Center in Chicago. IL.
Chimaev has long been looked at as a future champion, after storming into the UFC in 2020. “Borz” immediately broke the record for fastest turnaround between fights in the modern era of the UFC, and juggled fights at both welterweight and middleweight. However, a nasty bout with COVID-19 nearly ended the hot prospect’s career, and his fighting pace slowed considerably. In three of the last four years, Khamzat Chimaev has fought just once per year, with the outlier being 2022, when he competed twice.
In October, the Chechen-born fighter did serious damage to the jaw of former champ Robert Whittaker, care of a face crank.
Dricus Du Plessis, South Africa’s first UFC champion, captured the UFC’s 185lb title in January of 2024 at UFC 297 in Toronto, earning a decision win over Sean Strickland. “Stillknocks” has since defended the belt twice, against Israel Adesanya, and in a rematch with Strickland.
No other fights have been announced or reported for UFC 319.
