Overview

• Dana White officially announced that Dricus Du Plessis will defend his middleweight title against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 on August 16 at the United Center in Chicago.
• The event marks the UFC's first return to Chicago since 2019, adding to a star-studded summer fight schedule.
• Du Plessis enters the fight on an 11-fight win streak, including two successful title defenses against Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland.
• Chimaev, undefeated at 14-0, is set for his first UFC title shot after overcoming COVID-19 complications that previously disrupted his career.
• Fans express cautious optimism, citing Chimaev’s history of fight pullouts and limited activity, with this being his first U.S. fight since 2022.