UFC 319 Preview: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev Showdown

Location & Date: UFC 319 takes place on August 16, 2025, at the United Center in Chicago, marking the promotion’s first visit to Chicago since 2019. Headlining the card is a blockbuster Middleweight Championship bout between Dricus “Stillknocks” du Plessis (c) and Khamzat “Borz” Chimaev, a clash that has MMA fans buzzing. Du Plessis enters as the reigning UFC middleweight champion, while Chimaev is the undefeated phenom finally getting his long-awaited title shot. Both men are unbeaten in UFC competition so far – a combined 17-0 in the Octagon – setting the stage for an “unstoppable force vs immovable object” showdown.

Stakes & Storylines: This five-round championship bout carries high stakes beyond the belt. Du Plessis is attempting his third straight title defense and is eager to prove himself against arguably his toughest challenger yet. A win could further solidify the South African’s meteoric rise, which saw him exceed expectations as an underdog against former champs Robert Whittaker, Sean Strickland, and Israel Adesanya. On the other side, Chimaev has been touted as a future champion since early in his UFC tenure, but health issues and weight-class changes delayed his title run. Now moving to middleweight full-time, the Chechen superstar looks to fulfill that destiny. The winner not only leaves with the 185-lb gold, but could influence the division’s trajectory for years to come. Many observers even call this matchup one of the best fights MMA can produce this year given the athletes’ dominance.

Champion Profile: Dricus du Plessis

Du Plessis (c, 23-2) has been on an absolute tear. The 31-year-old South African is a former KSW two-division champ and has not lost since joining the UFC in 2020. He captured the UFC middleweight title in January 2024 by dethroning Sean Strickland, and has successfully defended it twice – against Israel Adesanya and in a rematch with Strickland. Known for his unorthodox striking and surprisingly strong grappling, “Stillknocks” combines explosive knockout power with relentless pressure. He famously stopped Whittaker in 2023 with a barrage of punches, and even submitted Adesanya via rear-naked choke in 2024 to retain his belt. Du Plessis’ wild, high-pace style often leaves opponents baffled. As Brendan Schaub recently noted, du Plessis is “all over the place” – a hard puzzle to emulate in training. Cardio and heart are also hallmarks of the champ; he tends to get stronger as fights go long, having proven he can rally in later rounds. In fact, du Plessis has openly promised to drag Chimaev into “deep waters he has yet to experience” inside the Octagon. Fighting in Chicago also holds no fear for the champ – he’s already arrived early and embraced promotional duties, even stirring up buzz by appearing at a local soccer match. With a victory here, du Plessis could not only keep his belt but also continue a historic run (we explore his potential record-breaking ambitions in a separate article on du Plessis making UFC history).

Challenger Profile: Khamzat Chimaev

Chimaev (14-0) finally gets his crack at UFC gold, and the hype is justified. The 31-year-old Chechen-Swedish fighter stormed onto the scene in 2020 with a record-setting string of quick wins (three UFC victories in just 66 days). “Borz” made his name at welterweight and middleweight with dominant finishes: he rag-dolled contenders and finished the likes of Li Jingliang and Kevin Holland in rapid fashion. Notably, Chimaev conquered former UFC champ Kamaru Usman in a hard-fought decision in 2023, proving he can win even when dragged to later rounds. In 2024, Chimaev cemented his top-contender status by submitting Robert Whittaker with a face crank in the first round – a feat that sent shockwaves through the division. That elite wrestling and submission game is Chimaev’s biggest weapon. He averages over 3 takedowns per fight and suffocates opponents with top pressure, having finished 8 of his 14 wins by submission. Chimaev’s striking is often overlooked but dangerous – he has knockout power and a fearless forward march that overwhelms foes early.

Coming into UFC 319, Chimaev appears to be in peak form. After dealing with some health setbacks (including a COVID-related hiatus in 2020), he’s stayed active and honed his conditioning. In fact, training partner Arman Tsarukyan revealed that Chimaev has significantly improved his cardio and recovery this camp, working with a new strength and conditioning coach to erase what many saw as his lone weakness. According to Tsarukyan, “his cardio must be very good” now, as Khamzat has been testing his endurance every day. That could be crucial if this fight extends beyond the early rounds. Still, Chimaev’s greatest advantage is in the first 5-10 minutes – his “burst out of the gates” style has earned him first-round finishes in most of his fights. Many pundits believe if Chimaev is going to win, it will be by storming du Plessis early before the champ’s stamina edge kicks in. The big question: can Borz maintain his ferocious pace if he doesn’t get the finish quickly?

Fight Breakdown and Predictions

This title bout is a classic clash of formidable skill sets. Chimaev brings elite wrestling and submission threats, while du Plessis offers awkward but powerful striking and superior cardio. Interestingly, du Plessis’ camp has hinted they won’t shy away from grappling. Du Plessis’ teammate Mark Hulme insists people “haven’t seen the extent of Dricus’ wrestling” and predicts Dricus might even out-wrestle Khamzat, “shove his head up his a–,” and finish Chimaev within three rounds. (For more on Du Plessis’ training with Hulme and his secret wrestling weapon, see our feature on The Hulme Factor).

On the feet, the champion’s unorthodox striking vs. the challenger’s raw power makes for a volatile mix. Du Plessis often blitzes in with looping punches and knees from odd angles, which could catch Chimaev, but also opens opportunities for takedowns if Chimaev times level changes under those wild swings. Chimaev’s striking is more straightforward but effective – a stiff jab and overhand right set up his clinches and shots. If it stays standing for long, du Plessis’ volume and variety might give him the edge, especially as Chimaev tires, but Chimaev’s one-shot power is a constant threat early.

Grappling vs. Cardio: Many analysts frame this fight as Chimaev’s wrestling and early aggression vs. du Plessis’ durability and late gas tank. UFC veteran coach Din Thomas went so far as to say Du Plessis “must grapple with Khamzat” to have any chance. Thomas even suggested Dricus might surprise by shooting a takedown first: “I wouldn’t be surprised if DDP shot on him… You’ve got to show you can grapple with him”. The logic is that by meeting Chimaev head-on in the wrestling department, du Plessis can blunt Khamzat’s biggest strength and potentially drag the fight into later rounds where the champ excels. Team du Plessis seems to agree – head coach Morne Visser has stated they welcome grappling exchanges with Chimaev, rather than trying to run from them. If Dricus can fend off the early takedowns or work back to his feet repeatedly, it may sap Chimaev’s explosiveness. By round 3 and beyond, du Plessis’ relentless pace could take over – as former champ Israel Adesanya predicted, if Dricus survives the first two rounds, he can possibly finish a fatigued Chimaev late. Robert Whittaker similarly opined that Chimaev must finish early or he’ll likely lose in deep waters.

All that said, Chimaev’s camp is confident that his cardio is no longer a liability. If Borz can sustain a high pace for five rounds, we could witness an absolute war. There’s also the wild card of striking power – Chimaev has never been seriously hurt in the UFC, whereas du Plessis has shown a granite chin so far. If either man lands clean, it could swing momentum drastically.

Prediction: Expect an intense, high-paced battle from the opening bell. Chimaev will likely shoot early and test the champion’s takedown defense. If he succeeds and finds a submission or dominant ground-and-pound, it could be an early night. However, if du Plessis stuffs a few shots or scrambles up, each passing minute will tilt the bout in his favor. Look for du Plessis to weather an initial storm and come on strong late.

Our prediction leans toward Dricus du Plessis by a late TKO or decision, after surviving some scary moments. But make no mistake – this is an razor-close matchup, and Khamzat Chimaev has all the tools to shock the Chicago crowd with an emphatic finish. Either way, we’re in for an MMA spectacle between two unbeaten UFC juggernauts with contrasting styles. Don’t blink when the cage door closes on August 16!

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