Khamzat Chimaev sets sights on Dricus du Plessis’ middleweight crown at UFC 319

UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis will face both Khamzat Chimaev and a partisan crowd when he defends his title in the UFC 319 main event in Chicago on Saturday.

At Thursday’s night pre-fight promotion, du Plessis was met with loud boos from a pro-Chimaev audience. The 31-year-old South African will be fighting in the United States for the first time since 2023, while Chimaev, also 31, returns to US competition for the first time in a year.



Despite being the betting underdog against the undefeated Chimaev (14-0 MMA), du Plessis (23-2 MMA) remained composed, urging fans to 'remember when you’re cheering Saturday night'.

This bout marks UFC’s first Chicago event since June 2019 and the third middleweight title fight in Illinois since 2008.


Du Plessis is making his third title defense after winning the belt via split decision over Sean Strickland in January 2024. He went on to submit Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in August and defeat Strickland again in a February rematch at UFC 312.

Chimaev, keeping his composure amid crowd support, offered a confident prediction: "Africa never gonna see the belt again. Sorry guys."

FULL MAIN FIGHT CARD ORDER

• Dricus du Plessis (c) vs Khamzat Chimaev - Middleweight title fight
• Lerone Murphy vs Aaron Pico - Featherweight
• Geoff Neal vs Carlos Prates - Welterweight
• Jared Cannonier vs Michael Page - Middleweight
• Tim Elliott vs Kai Asakura - Flyweight