Overview

• UFC 319’s middleweight title showdown is set for Saturday, Aug. 16, at Chicago’s United Center, streaming live on ESPN+ pay-per-view.
• Chimaev and his team weathered a reported training-camp illness, and the challenger completed his first official fight-week session on Tuesday.
• Betting lines moved from an early underdog status to a -220 favorite for Chimaev, reflecting growing confidence in his championship bid.
• Experts from Khabib Nurmagomedov to Alexander Volkanovski urge Chimaev to box to conserve energy, while Tom Aspinall and others warn that his elite wrestling remains a dire threat.
• Champion Dricus Du Plessis has countered the chatter by highlighting his nine UFC victories versus Chimaev’s eight, underscoring his own confidence as final preparations unfold.