Khamzat Chimaev enters UFC 319 as the betting favorite to capture the middleweight championship from Dricus du Plessis this Saturday at Chicago's United Center. The undefeated challenger has been installed as a -250 favorite against the reigning champion, who finds himself in the unfamiliar position of a +205 underdog.
The August 16 showdown pits the perfect 14-0 record of Chimaev against du Plessis' impressive 11-fight winning streak. For fight fans, this clash represents a true collision of elite talent at 185 pounds.
Du Plessis' championship journey began with a controversial split decision over Sean Strickland in 2024. The South African followed that performance by submitting former champion Israel Adesanya before settling his rivalry with Strickland in a more convincing rematch victory earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Chimaev has long been touted as a future UFC champion despite battling inactivity and health issues. His last octagon appearance sent shockwaves through the division when he submitted top-five middleweight Robert Whittaker with a brutal face crank in the opening round.
What makes Chimaev particularly dangerous is his relentless pressure and elite grappling skills. The Chechen fighter's python-like grip and ground-and-pound have overwhelmed every opponent he's faced. Du Plessis' defensive wrestling hasn't been significantly tested since his bout with Derek Brunson – and Brunson's grappling isn't considered on the same level as Chimaev's.
The champion does have advantages in championship experience and striking volume that could prove valuable if the fight extends into the later rounds. However, Chimaev has shown devastating power, as evidenced by his knockouts of Gerald Meerschaert and Ikram Aliskerov.
Fight enthusiasts will need to purchase the pay-per-view via ESPN+ to catch what should be an explosive battle between the No. 4 pound-for-pound fighter in the world and the man whose championship ascension has seemed inevitable since his UFC debut.
Can du Plessis pull off the upset and silence the doubters once again? Or will Chimaev's grappling dominance prove too much for even the champion to handle? Saturday night in Chicago will provide the answers.
