UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev - Fight Night Recap and Updates

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) delivered an electrifying night of mixed martial arts action at UFC 319, held on August 16, 2025, at the United Center in Chicago. The event was headlined by a highly anticipated middleweight title clash between champion Dricus Du Plessis and challenger Khamzat Chimaev. Below is a comprehensive recap of the event, including results, highlights, and key updates surrounding the UFC landscape.

Main Event: Khamzat Chimaev Defeats Dricus Du Plessis

In a dominant performance, Khamzat Chimaev (14-0, 8-0 UFC) captured the UFC middleweight championship by defeating Dricus Du Plessis (23-3, 9-1 UFC) via unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-44). Chimaev’s relentless grappling and aggressive style overwhelmed Du Plessis, who was making his third title defense. Despite Du Plessis’ unorthodox striking and renowned stamina, Chimaev’s pressure proved too much, marking a significant milestone in his undefeated career. The Chicago crowd was vocal, with boos directed at Du Plessis during the press conference, amplifying the intense atmosphere.

Chimaev, nicknamed “Borz” (Chechen for wolf), showcased his wrestling prowess, drawing comparisons to Khabib Nurmagomedov. His custom fight shorts, featuring howling wolves, symbolized his strength and courage. However, Chimaev humorously dismissed the idea of fighting at a potential UFC White House event, citing his appearance as a barrier: “Bro, look at my face.”

Du Plessis, known for his mental fortitude and work with a mental coach, aimed to outlast Chimaev but couldn’t counter the challenger’s early dominance. Post-fight, Du Plessis expressed disappointment but vowed to return stronger, acknowledging Chimaev’s superior performance.

Co-Main Event and Main Card Results

The co-main event featured Aaron Pico making his UFC debut against the undefeated Lerone Murphy in the featherweight division. While specific results for this bout were not detailed in available updates, the fight was poised to potentially propel the winner toward a featherweight title shot.

Other notable main card results included:

Carlos Prates vs. Geoff Neal (welterweight): Prates entered as a -235 favorite, showcasing his striking prowess.
Michael Page vs. Jared Cannonier (middleweight): Page, favored at -200, aimed to continue his rise in the division.
Kai Asakura vs. Tim Elliott (flyweight): Asakura, a -300 favorite, looked to make a statement in his UFC debut.
Baisangur Susurkaev vs. Eric Nolan (middleweight): Susurkaev was a heavy favorite at -950.
Michal Oleksiejczuk vs. Gerald Meerschaert (middleweight): Oleksiejczuk was favored at -220.
Loopy Godinez vs. Jessica Andrade (women’s strawweight): Godinez held a slight edge at -145.
Chase Hooper vs. Alexander Hernandez (lightweight): Hooper was a -325 favorite.
Edson Barboza vs. Drakkar Klose (lightweight): Barboza was favored at -160.

Preliminary Card Highlights

The preliminary card delivered exciting moments:

Karine Silva def. Dione Barbosa via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28): Silva avenged a 2019 loss to Barbosa in a women’s flyweight bout. Despite near-submission attempts by both fighters, Silva’s grappling edged out the victory, though the Chicago crowd booed the decision. Silva improved to 19-5 (5-1 UFC), while Barbosa fell to 8-4 (2-2 UFC).
Joseph Morales def. Alibi Idiris via second-round submission (triangle choke): Morales, an underdog, dominated the flyweight finale of The Ultimate Fighter 33, earning a UFC contract with a stellar performance. He improved to 13-2 (1-2 UFC), while Idiris suffered his first loss, falling to 10-1.

UFC’s New $7.7 Billion Paramount Deal

A major talking point surrounding UFC 319 was the UFC’s new $7.7 billion broadcasting deal with Paramount, announced prior to the event. This deal has sparked varied reactions:

Dana White’s Perspective: UFC CEO Dana White confirmed the deal will lead to increased fighter pay, with some suggesting “bigger guaranteed payouts” for champions. However, White contradicted earlier statements by insisting pay-per-view (PPV) is “not dead,” despite initial indications that the deal would move away from the PPV model. Four major PPVs will air on CBS annually, potentially saving fans over $1,000 in fees.
Fighter Reactions: Former UFC champion Georges St-Pierre criticized the deal, calling it “terrible” for fighters, while others, like former champion Chris Weidman, predicted financial benefits.
Fan Sentiment: Fans are divided, with some excited about reduced costs and others concerned about the implications for fighter pay and event accessibility.

Other UFC Updates

UFC White House Event: Dana White confirmed plans for a UFC event at the White House on July 4, 2026, with Conor McGregor expressing interest in participating. However, Jon Jones’ involvement is uncertain.
Conor McGregor’s Return: McGregor has re-entered the UFC drug-testing pool, fueling speculation about a 2026 comeback, potentially against Ilia Topuria or another top lightweight.
UFC 320 and Beyond: Upcoming events include UFC 320 featuring Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira 2 and Tom Aspinall defending his title against Ciryl Gane in Abu Dhabi. Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje is reportedly set for UFC 323 in Las Vegas.
Controversies and Injuries: Caio Borralho, the backup fighter for the main event, expressed concerns about potential injuries to either Du Plessis or Chimaev, highlighting the high stakes of the bout.
Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS): The ninth season of DWCS kicked off, with a teammate of Chimaev securing a UFC contract via a brutal knockout. However, Dana White criticized a fighter for a deliberate headbutt during the event.

Predictions and Analysis

Analysts were split on the main event outcome:

Josh Peter (USA TODAY Sports) predicted a second-round stoppage for Chimaev, citing his grappling dominance.
Andrew Richardson (MMA Mania) favored Du Plessis, believing his team’s game plan could counter Chimaev’s aggression.
Alexander K. Lee (MMA Fighting) and Din Thomas (ESPN) backed Chimaev, emphasizing his overwhelming pressure.
Trent Reinsmith (Forbes) noted Du Plessis could win via decision or late knockout if he survived early rounds, but Chimaev’s early submission threat loomed large.

Ultimately, Chimaev’s unanimous decision victory validated the predictions favoring his relentless style.

Looking Ahead

UFC 319 solidified Khamzat Chimaev as a new force in the middleweight division, while the Paramount deal signals a transformative era for the UFC. Fans can look forward to UFC 320, Noche UFC 3, and a potential White House event in 2026, with stars like McGregor, Topuria, and Jones potentially headlining. Stay tuned for more updates as the UFC continues to evolve.