Overview

• UFC 319’s main event between champion Dricus du Plessis and undefeated Khamzat Chimaev is locked in for August 16 at Chicago’s United Center.
• Du Plessis has publicly declared he can sustain a “full speed” five-round pace and challenged Chimaev to match his endurance from the opening bell.
• Chimaev has reinforced his training camp with new conditioning staff, emphasized early-round aggression and dismissed retirement speculation.
• A viral fight-week face-off reignited debate over Chimaev’s size advantage, but Du Plessis downplayed any height or weight disparity as just camera angle.
• With Chimaev opening as the slight betting favorite, UFC president Dana White guaranteed the title fight will earn Fight of the Night honors.