Overview

• The UFC has confirmed that champion Dricus Du Plessis will defend his middleweight belt against unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of UFC 319 at Chicago’s United Center on August 16.
• Fight-week footage of their first face-off has gone viral, with observers noting a perceived size advantage for Chimaev.
• Du Plessis has rejected the size narrative as a camera trick, vowing to “hunt” from the opening bell and citing his proven five-round conditioning as a decisive asset.
• Chimaev’s camp reports ‘shark tank’ sparring sessions with daily strength tests; social-media clips also show him manhandling former champion Daniel Cormier.
• Bookmakers favor Chimaev but predictions remain split as analysts balance his early wrestling explosiveness against Du Plessis’ championship pacing and endurance.