UFC 319: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev Set for Chicago

UFC 319 is poised to return to Chicago on August 16, 2025, featuring a highly anticipated middleweight championship bout between reigning champion Dricus Du Plessis and undefeated contender Khamzat Chimaev. The event will take place at the United Center, with the main card scheduled to begin at 10 PM ET. Tickets for the event will be available to the public starting June 20 at 10 AM CT via Ticketmaster.com, with presales for UFC Fight Club members and newsletter subscribers occurring on June 18 and June 19, respectively.

Dricus Du Plessis, a 30-year-old fighter hailing from Pretoria, South Africa, brings an impressive record of 23 wins and 2 losses into this championship defense. He has remained unbeaten for nearly seven years, securing victories over notable former champions such as Sean Strickland, Israel Adesanya, and Robert Whittaker. Du Plessis aims to maintain his reign in the middleweight division by handing Chimaev his first professional loss.

Khamzat Chimaev, fighting out of the United Arab Emirates with roots in Chechnya, Russia, boasts a perfect record of 14-0 and is recognized for his powerful grappling and striking skills. After defeating well-regarded fighters like Robert Whittaker, Kamaru Usman, and Gilbert Burns, Chimaev is eager to claim his first title and fulfill his aspiration of becoming a UFC champion.

In addition to the championship fight, the UFC 319 card will also feature an intriguing matchup between No. 7 ranked middleweight contender Jared Cannonier and dynamic striker Michael ‘Venom’ Page. Cannonier, with a record of 18-8, is looking to capitalize on his recent TKO victory over Gregory Rodrigues, while Page, returning to middleweight after a successful outing against Shara Magomedov, hopes to position himself for a title shot.

The event will also showcase several other compelling matchups across different weight classes, including: - Gerald Meerschaert (37-19) vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk (20-9 1NC) in middleweight, - Edson Barboza (24-12) vs. Drakkar Klose (15-3-1) in lightweight, - King Green (32-17-1 1NC) vs. Diego Ferreira (19-6) in lightweight, - No. 11 ranked flyweight contender Tim Elliott (21-13-1) vs. Kai Asakura (21-5), and - Jessica Andrade (26-14), a former UFC strawweight champion, taking on No. 11 ranked Loopy Godinez (13-5).

The UFC continues to expand its reach and influence in the sport of mixed martial arts, with this event highlighting the competitive nature of the middleweight division. As fighters prepare for their respective bouts, all eyes will be on Chicago as fans anticipate an electrifying night of championship fighting. For more information on UFC 319 and additional bouts, visit www.ufc.com. All fights are live and subject to change.