UFC 319 Preview: 'Du Plessis vs. Chimaev' — The Inevitable Clash for Middleweight Supremacy

The Ultimate Fighting Championship makes its long-awaited return to Chicago's United Center this Saturday for UFC 319. The main event promises to be one of the most compelling middleweight title fights in recent memory, as the explosive Khamzat Chimaev attempts to complete his seemingly inevitable journey to a championship, while reigning titleholder Dricus Du Plessis looks to defy expectations and cement his reign.

Beyond the main event, the card features a distinct theme of crossover matchups, pitting established UFC fighters against former Bellator MMA standouts. Aaron Pico will make his highly anticipated Octagon debut, diving headfirst into the featherweight contender mix against Lerone Murphy. Similarly, former Bellator star Michael Page aims to continue his middleweight ascent by challenging one-time title contender Jared Cannonier. The card is rounded out by a thrilling welterweight scrap between Geoff Neal and Carlos Prates, while former flyweight title challenger Kai Asakura seeks his first UFC victory against veteran Tim Elliott.

Main Event: UFC Middleweight Championship

Dricus Du Plessis (23-2, 9-0 UFC) vs. Khamzat Chimaev (14-0, 8-0 UFC)

Betting Odds: Chimaev (-260), du Plessis (+220)

After years of anticipation and a journey that has seen him move up 15 pounds, Khamzat Chimaev is finally on the precipice of a championship. His rise was initially fueled by a ferocious pace of activity, with three dominant wins in his first two months with the promotion in 2020. That electrifying start made him an instant star and fast-tracked him into a top contender's bout against Leon Edwards. However, that is when his momentum was slowed by a severe case of COVID-19 and a subsequent near-retirement announcement.

Chimaev eventually returned over a year later, picking up right where he left off with a swift destruction of Jingliang Li. This was followed by a hard-fought decision win over Gilbert Burns, which, despite being his toughest test, proved that "Borz" possessed the cardio and tenacity to compete with high-level opponents for a full three rounds. While his momentum was briefly derailed by a significant weight miss in a planned fight against Nate Diaz, Chimaev has since moved to middleweight full-time. In his two appearances since, he has proven his worth, first with a close but effective win over Kamaru Usman and then with a dominant performance against Robert Whittaker, where he secured a face crank in a matter of minutes. After his typical year-long layoff, Chimaev now has his long-awaited title shot.

Opposing him is Dricus Du Plessis, a fighter whose success is as baffling as it is undeniable. On the surface, the South African champion often appears to be a technical mess, a fighter who is never fully comfortable and frequently seems to be struggling. However, Du Plessis is a master of the modern MMA meta, relying on a shocking combination of aggression, sheer physical power, and exceptional cardio to overwhelm his opponents. He has triumphed over elite competitors like Whittaker, Sean Strickland, and Israel Adesanya by simply throwing the rulebook out the window. Despite the perceived sloppiness of his style, Du Plessis has proven to be a savvy in-fight strategist, with a remarkable ability to perceive and adjust to the flow of a fight.

The outcome of this fight hinges on the first round. Chimaev, who could be considered one of the best one-round fighters of all time, has a very good chance of getting a quick finish. However, if Du Plessis can survive the initial onslaught, his unique style and relentless pressure could begin to take their toll over five championship rounds. With two extra rounds to work with, it's hard to predict exactly how Chimaev will fare against Du Plessis' unconventional style. The pick here is for Du Plessis to pull off another surprising victory via decision.