We are just one day away from UFC 319, and we’ve got the official weigh-in results for you here at MMA News.
UFC 319 takes place from the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, featuring a number of noteworthy matchups, including a highly-anticipated middleweight title fight.
The UFC middleweight championship is on the line in the evening’s main event, as Dricus Du Plessis defends against the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev.
Du Plessis, who made his UFC debut in October 2020, won the UFC middleweight title with a decision win over Sean Strickland at UFC 297. He has since retained the belt twice, defeating Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 and winning a rematch against Strickland at UFC 312.
Chimaev, who made his UFC debut in July 2020, has also quickly risen up the ranks with his impressive performances. He earned this title shot with a finish of Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 in October.
The co-main event will see the undefeated Lerone Murphy, coming in off a win over Josh Emmett, face a man who will be making his UFC debut — Bellator veteran Aaron Pico.
The main card will also feature a welterweight bout between Geoff Neal and Carlos Prates, a middleweight battle between Jared Cannonier and Michael Page, and a flyweight fight featuring Tim Elliott and Kai Asakura.
UFC 319 Weigh-In Video, Results
UFC 319 takes place Saturday, August 16 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 6 PM ET/3 PM PT.
See above to watch the UFC 319 Weigh-In Show (beginning at 9:50 a.m. ET), and check out the full results below.
Main Card:
Middleweight Championship: Dricus Du Plessis (185) vs. Khamzat Chimaev (183) (Backup fighter: Caio Borralho (184 lbs))
Featherweight: Lerone Murphy (146) vs. Aaron Pico (145)
Welterweight: Geoff Neal (171) vs. Carlos Prates (170)
Middleweight: Jared Cannonier (186) vs. Michael Page (186)
Flyweight: Tim Elliott (126) vs. Kai Asakura (126)
Preliminary Card:
Middleweight: Baysangur Susurkaev (186) vs. Eric Nolan (183)
Middleweight: Gerald Meerschaert (185) vs. Michał Oleksiejczuk (186)
Women’s Strawweight: Jessica Andrade (116) vs. Loopy Godinez (115)
Lightweight: Chase Hooper (155) vs. Alexander Hernandez (156)
Early Preliminary Card:
Lightweight: Edson Barboza (155.5) vs. Drakkar Klose (156)
Middleweight: Bryan Battle (190)* vs. Nursulton Ruziboev (186)
Women’s Flyweight: Karine Silva (125) vs. Dione Barbosa (125.5)
Flyweight: TUF Finale: Alibi Idiris (126) vs. Joseph Morales (126)
*Battle missed weight by 4 pounds, fight is off (originally reported to remain on with a 30 percent fine of his purse)
Dricus Du Plessis is curious how Khamzat Chimaev will react to his first loss.
“Stillknocks” is set to make his third middleweight title defense against Chimaev in the UFC 319 main event this Saturday, August 16, at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
Du Plessis enters this fight riding an impressive 11-fight win streak, nine of which have come inside the UFC. The South African has only suffered defeat twice in his career, but those losses taught him hard lessons and fueled the confidence he carries into this weekend’s bout.
On the other hand, Chimaev has faced challenges in a few UFC bouts but remains unbeaten across his 14 professional fights. “Borz’s” perfect record has reinforced his mindset, giving him the belief he needs to dethrone “Stillknocks” at UFC 319.
However, Dricus Du Plessis is determined to put an end to Chimaev’s streak.
Dricus Du Plessis Raises Questions About Khhamzat Chimaev’s Composure Following First Potential Loss At UFC 319
During UFC 319 media day, Dricus Du Plessis spoke about his upcoming title defense against Khamzat Chimaev. “Stillknocks” questioned Chimaev’s mental toughness, pondering how the undefeated Russian might react if he suffers his first career defeat and loses his undefeated record.
“I think after Saturday night, it’s going to be time to go and maybe do some introspection saying ‘how are we approaching this?’ Because I don’t know where he’s at on a mental level,” Du Plessis said. “I know he has a lot of money, as he says. I haven’t checked his bank statements but he says he has a lot of money.
“You know he’s so certain he’s becoming world champion and I’m here to say no. There’s no way you’re becoming world champion while I’m the champion. It’s going to be interesting to see.”
“Total bull***,” White posted on social media in response to a post about the report.
About an hour later, MMA journalist and personality Ariel Helwani reported that McGregor and his team have informed him that McGregor and the UFC have not parted ways.
He added that, despite what rumors on social media may say, his testing sample came back clean and he told Helwani, “It’s all systems a go.”
McGregor has not publicly posted to social media since the report from UFC roster trackers came out.
Dana White And Conor McGregor Refute Reports Of UFC, McGregor Parting Ways
This all comes a couple of hours after UFC roster trackers, including UFC Roster Watch, on social media posted that McGregor had been removed from the active UFC roster.
To everyone messaging me asking, "Is this true?" Yes, according to the official roster, our API indicates that he has been removed. We are unaware of any negotiations between Conor and the UFC.
“To everyone messaging me asking, ‘Is this true?’ Yes, according to the official roster, our API indicates that he has been removed,” the account posted. “We are unaware of any negotiations between Conor and the UFC.”
No reason has been given as to why the API removed McGregor.
This post speculated rumors about a potential drug test failure, a sunset clause activation, or a potential contract dispute in the wake of the UFC’s new U.S. broadcasting deal with Paramount.
McGregor, who is running for Irish presidency, was also found civilly liable this past November of sexually assaulting Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel room in December 2018. His appeals to a higher court have been denied. McGregor is also facing sexual assault allegations from an incident in Miami during the 2023 NBA Finals.
McGregor has not fought in the UFC since his UFC 264 trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier. He hasn’t won a UFC fight since knocking out Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone at UFC 246.
McGregor and Michael Chandler were initially scheduled to headline UFC 303 last year before McGregor withdrew with a little less than a month to go.
McGregor is arguably the biggest star the UFC and perhaps all of combat sports has ever produced, continuing to dominate headlines despite being four years away from active competition.
“The Notorious” hasn’t fought since breaking his leg in his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021, but has teased multiple comebacks in the years since.
The former two-division UFC champion was set for a blockbuster comeback against ex-title challenger Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June 2024. However, just two weeks out, his return was derailed when a toe injury forced him to withdraw.
Fast forward to August 2025, and McGregor is showing strong interest in a grand stage return at the proposed UFC event on the White House lawn in July 2026. He’s fueled speculation with a flurry of training videos, and his commitment was further underscored by news that he’s officially re-entered the UFC’s testing pool. Even UFC CEO Dana White has hinted that the Irishman is actively lobbying for a spot on the historic White House card.
‼️ Dana White on Conor McGregor returning to the UFC:
“He’s back in the testing pool now. If he stays the course we will see. He really wants the White House fight.” 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Q6xe8gMQ2u
However, on Thursday, speculation surrounding McGregor’s comeback hit a major snag, as renowned roster tracker UFC Roster Watch reported that the superstar has been removed from the promotion’s official fighter roster.
Fans Stunned As Conor McGregor Reportedly Cut From UFC Roster
Following reports of Conor McGregor’s potential removal from the UFC roster, social media erupted with reactions from MMA fans. Many expressed shock and confusion over the news, while naysayers seized the moment to throw shade at “The Notorious”.
Even without stepping into the Octagon, Conor McGregor has remained a headline magnet for all the wrong reasons. In November 2024, an Irish court found him liable for sexually assaulting Nikita Hand in a hotel room back in December 2018.
He is also facing a separate lawsuit alleging sexual assault during the 2023 NBA Finals. On top of his legal troubles, “The Notorious” has been deeply involved in Irish politics and has publicly expressed strong interest in a potential presidential bid this year.
UFC 319 is just a couple of days away, featuring a highly-anticipated middleweight title fight. Time to stir the pot more and gain more hype for UFC 319, courtesy of a good ol’ fashion question-and-answer session.
The ninth UFC pay-per-view event of the year goes down from the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on Saturday, August 16. UFC 319 will be headlined by Dricus Du Plessis defending the UFC middleweight title against Khamzat Chimaev.
The co-main event sees undefeated featherweight contender Lerone Murphy facing Bellator veteran Aaron Pico in Pico’s UFC debut.
The rest of the main card features a welterweight battle between Geoff Neal and Carlos Prates, a middleweight fight featuring Jared Cannonier and Michael “Venom” Page, and a flyweight scrap with Tim Elliott taking on Kai Asakura.
Watch The UFC 319: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev Pre-Fight Press Conference
As per tradition, the UFC pay-per-view main card participants will be featured in a press conference during fight week. This is the opportunity for fighters to answer questions from media and fans, as well as potentially lay in some smack talk on their opponents.
Xtreme Couture head coach Eric Nicksick has given his thoughts on Khamzat Chimaev‘s best path to victory as he prepares to challenge for the UFC middleweight championship.
On Saturday night, Khamzat Chimaev finally gets his crack at UFC gold. He’ll be going up against reigning champion Dricus du Plessis in a fight that, to put it bluntly, is going to be pretty awesome. There are so many different ways in which it can go, and for Khamzat, you’d have to imagine that his wrestling will be his best bet.
As it turns out, Eric Nicksick also agrees that Khamzat Chimaev needs to implement his game early.
Eric Nicksick on Khamzat Chimaev’s route to victory
“For Chimaev it’s the wrestling, but it’s how he wrestles, the way he gets after these guys that really stands out. He’s on you straight away, suffocating you, not giving you any chance to get settled or prepare for what’s coming. He chains everything together so well, so quickly that it’s hard to react and respond.
“He likes to just blitz right away — get across the cage, get connected to you — and then he’s immediately looking to get you down, switching his entries, constantly making you defend. Once he gets you down, he’s flattening you out, looking for ground-and-pound or a choke. We’ve seen it in almost all of his fights — guys are just stuck on the back foot, stuck defending — and Chimaev is too strong, too good for them to be able to stop him.”
“For Chimaev it’s get out there, get after him, and get it over with in a hurry. He’s not looking to show he can go five rounds or spend any more time in there than he has to. It needs to look like the fight with Whittaker. Shoot right away, get connected, and make him deal with everything you’re giving him, trying to get him out of there.”
UFC star Michael Page has opened up on the differences between fighting at welterweight and fighting at middleweight.
As we know, Michael Page, also known as MVP, is one of the most unique and interesting fighters in mixed martial arts. After his recent win over Shara Magomedov, he’ll now be staying in the middleweight division – even if he doesn’t seem particularly thrilled about it.
Alas, the politics at the top of the division didn’t interest him, which is why we’re now going to see Michael Page vs Jared Cannonier at UFC 319 on Saturday night. It’s the kind of bout that has a whole lot of potential, but it’s also one that could go in one of a million different directions.
In a recent interview, Michael Page spoke about the journey that Jared Cannonier has gone on from heavyweight all the way down to middleweight.
Michael Page discusses differences between 170 and 185
“At welterweight, I’m a sniper. I’m waiting for that right moment and then I’ll land my shot. Wait for the right moment, land my shot. Whereas in the middleweight division, I have to be a bit more aggressive on that front foot—landing combinations and then come back out. Combinations and come back out versus just the one shot hoping to kill these guys because they… again, they are more the natural—especially Jared coming from heavyweight—they are more the natural middleweights.”
Will MVP be able to earn a UFC world title shot in his next few fights? We’ll have to wait and see.
UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has made it clear that he isn’t afraid to wrestle with Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319.
In the main event of UFC 319, Dricus du Plessis will defend his UFC middleweight championship against Khamzat Chimaev. As we’ve said for weeks now, this is easily one of the most highly anticipated fights of the year. DDP is unpredictable and chaotic, whereas Chimaev is ruthless and efficient in what he does.
Something has to give, and we can’t wait to see them lock up for the first time. Of course, the wrestling prowess of Khamzat Chimaev is considered to be the strongest factor for either fight in this one – and it’s pretty clear to see why. At the same time, though, Dricus du Plessis is the kind of fighter who can pull a rabbit out of his hat in the blink of an eye.
In a recent interview, Dricus du Plessis made it known that he isn’t particularly bothered about the porospect of having to wrestle with Chimaev on Saturday night.
Dricus du Plessis discusses Khamzat Chimaev’s wrestling
“I understand that he’s really good at wrestling and he’s really good on the ground, but I mean, that is the game. That’s truly how I feel about this fight. Yes, he is going to shoot. And yes, he is probably going to take me down, but I’m going to shoot too and I’m probably going to take him down. I’m going to strike and I’m probably going to hit him and he’s going to strike and probably hit me. I’m not scared of any of that.”
For the first time in the show’s history, The Ultimate Fighter will see its finale fights held on two different cards.
This wasn’t the intention; however, this is now the reality following an injury to Rodrigo Sezinando, forcing the TUF welterweight final featuring him and Daniil Donchenko to be moved from this weekend’s UFC 319 card to Noche UFC 3 on September 13.
ThinkerBoxing was the first to break the news on social media.
It’s unclear what Sezinando’s injury is, but he will remain in the rescheduled finale fight.
This is unique as traditionally TUF fighters who were injured were out of the tournament, even for the finale fights. This was the case as recent as season 29, when an injury forced Tresean Gore out of his season finale fight with Bryan Battle, getting replaced by Gilbert Urbina.
TUF Finale Fight Off UFC 319 Following Injury To Rodrigo Sezinando
Sezinando, a member of Team Cormier, was a featured part of season 33, thanks in part to his rivalry with Diego Bianchini of Team Sonnen. Sezinando bested Bianchini in the first round before defeating teammate Jeff Creighton in the welterweight semifinal.
Donchenko defeated Richard Martins and Matt Dixon to reach the 170-pound final.
The flyweight finale fight featuring Alibi Idiris and Joseph Morales will remain on the UFC 319 card.
UFC star Khamzat Chimaev came out with an absolutely wild comment when being interviewed by Daniel Cormier earlier this week.
As we know, Khamzat Chimaev will challenge Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship this weekend at UFC 319. In the eyes of many, ‘Borz’ is the favorite to win the fight and finally claim UFC gold for the first time in his career. Of course, getting the job done against DDP is going to be easier said than done.
Khamzat Chimaev doesn’t fear anyone, and neither should he if he wants to become world champion. Alas, Dricus du Plessis has a lot of great attributes, as does the challenger.
In a recent interview, though, Khamzat Chimaev and Daniel Cormier took some time away from speaking about the fight to engage in a bit of back and forth banter.
🗣️ Khamzat Chimaev:
"I don't need to be beautiful. Girls like terrorists." 😭😭
Cormier: “But look at me, look at my face, look at your face. This, beautiful, black skin, caramel. Your skin? Chechnya. Not beautiful like mine.”
Chimaev: “Don’t need to be beautiful.”
Cormier: “What do you need to be? World champion?’
Chimaev: “Girls like terrorists.”
Cormier: “[laughs] You’re so crazy, you can’t say that!”
Chimaev: “I’m joking man.”
Khamzat knows that he will become a true superstar if he’s able to get through du Plessis. If he does it convincingly and gets the finish, then it’ll open up the door to all kinds of interesting possibilities – whether it be at middleweight or perhaps even 205 pounds.
UFC flyweight star Kai Asakura has issued a warning to Tim Elliott ahead of their upcoming battle at UFC 319 this weekend.
As we know, Kai Asakura made a name for himself with his work in Rizin. As a result of what he was able to accomplish, he was immediately given a UFC flyweight championship fight against Alexandre Pantoja in his first bout in the promotion. It certainly caught a lot of people off guard, but either way, it was an interesting direction for the UFC to go in.
Back at UFC 310 in December, Kai Asakura failed in his attempt to take the belt from Pantoja. In the second round of their championship contest, Pantoja submitted Kai to ensure he successfully retained the flyweight title. Ever since then, many have wondered what would be next for the 31-year-old. Now, we have our answer, as he prepares to go head to head with Tim Elliott at UFC 319.
It’s an interesting fight between two men who seem to be in very different spots in their respective careers. In a recent interview, Kai Asakura spoke about a very specific part of Tim Elliott’s game.
Kai Asakura is ready for Tim Elliott
Kai was asked what he makes of Tim’s style where he likes to block with his hands down – and he made it crystal clear that Elliott shouldn’t pull that kind of trick against him.
“I think if he does that against me, I will probably KO him in a second. I think he should be careful with that.”
The UFC 320 lineup is starting to fall into place.
On Thursday, the promotion announced that Patchy Mix will make his return at UFC 320, where he’s set to welcome reigning KSW bantamweight champion Jakub Wikłacz for his Octagon debut.
Mix made his promotional debut at UFC 316 in June, but the night didn’t go his way as he suffered a lopsided unanimous decision loss to rising contender Mario Bautista. Before that setback, “No Love” was riding a seven-fight winning streak in Bellator, where he reigned as bantamweight champion.
The 31-year-old American boasts a professional record of 20-2, with 13 of those victories coming by submission.
Meanwhile, Wikłacz last competed at KSW 95 in June 2024, where he successfully defended his bantamweight crown with a second-round submission of Sebastian Przybysz. “Masa” is riding a seven-fight unbeaten streak and carries a professional record of 16-3-2, with 10 of those victories coming via submission.
Image: @jakub_wiklacz/Instagram
What Does The UFC 320 Fight Card Look Like So Far?
UFC 320 is set for October 4, 2025, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, headlined by a stacked title doubleheader. In the main event, reigning light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev defends his belt in a rematch against former titleholder Alex Pereira, while the co-main features bantamweight king Merab Dvalishvili making his third title defense of the year against Cory Sandhagen.
Adding more firepower to the main card, former 205-pound champion Jiri Prochazka faces dangerous striker Khalil Rountree Jr., while the lineup is strengthened by three intriguing middleweight clashes: Abus Magomedov vs. Joe Pyfer, Ateba Gautier vs. Ozzy Diaz, and Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Andre Muniz.
Here’s the confirmed lineup for UFC 320:
Magomed Ankalaev (c) vs. Alex Pereira; light heavyweight title
Merab Dvalishvili (c) vs. Cory Sandhagen; bantamweight title
Jiri Prochazka vs. Khalil Rountree; light heavyweight
Patchy Mix vs. Jakub Wikłacz; bantamweight
Abus Magomedov vs. Joe Pyfer; middleweight
Ateba Gautier vs. Ozzy Diaz; middleweight
Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Andre Muniz; middleweight
Veronica Hardy vs. Brogan Walker; women’s flyweight
Macy Chiasson vs. Yana Santos; women’s bantanweight
Chris Gutierrez vs. Farid Basharat; bantanweight
Ramiz Brahimaj vs. Austin Vanderford; welterweight
For the first time in six years, the UFC returns to the Windy City, as Chicago plays host to this Saturday’s UFC 319. Get yourself ready and in the know with another edition of MMA News staff fight predictions.
The event will be available exclusively on ESPN+ pay-per-view on Saturday, August 16. The main card will begin at its usual 10pm ET start time, with preliminary card action kicking off at 6pm ET.
The main event will see an exciting and anticipated middleweight championship clash featuring defending champ Dricus Du Plessis facing challenger Khamzat Chimaev.
Unbeaten in the UFC, Du Plessis originally claimed the title with a win over Sean Strickland at UFC 297. Since then, he’s retained the title twice, defeating Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 last year and winning a rematch with Strickland at UFC 312 this past February.
Chimaev is undefeated and, just like Du Plessis, has risen up the middleweight ranks in impressive fashion since arriving to the UFC in 2020. Chimaev earned this title shot after his win at UFC 308, defeating former champion Robert Whittaker in a title eliminator.
The UFC 319 co-main event sees undefeated featherweight contender Lerone Murphy welcome former Bellator prospect Aaron Pico to the Octagon.
Murphy has won eight in a row since his UFC debut went to a draw. He most recently defeated Josh Emmett in the main event of UFC Vegas 105 this past April. This will be Pico’s first fight since defeating Henry Corrales at the PFL vs. Bellator event in February 2024.
The rest of the UFC 319 main card features a welterweight bout between Geoff Neal and Carlos Prates, a middleweight battle between former title challenger Jared Cannonier and Michael “Venom” Page, and a flyweight fight featuring former title challengers Tim Elliott and Kai Asakura.
UFC 319: MMA News Staff Predictions
With UFC 319 just a couple of short days away, Ryan Jarrell, Pranav Pandey, and myself (Thomas Albano) have provided our picks for the fights that make up the main card.
Below, you can check out the current leaderboard through seven cards in 2025.
Pranav Pandey (22-15) Thomas Albano (20-17)
Ryan Jarrell (20-17)
And now, let’s take a look at everyone’s picks for UFC 319!
Flyweight: Tim Elliott vs. Kai Asakura
Images: UFC.com
Pranav Pandey: From my perspective, this one feels pretty straightforward. Yes, Asakura’s UFC debut ended in a crushing submission loss to Alexandre Pantoja, but that single setback doesn’t define his skill set. He brings championship experience and, in my opinion, has the striking tools to shut anyone’s lights out. The key will be keeping Elliott at bay and denying his relentless takedown attempts, which could prove tricky. Still, at 38 years old, Elliott faces a bigger question: can he match Asakura’s pace, power, and intensity over three rounds? Personally, I have my doubts. (Prediction: Asakura)
Thomas Albano: This is going to be fun. Kai Asakura may have come up short in his UFC debut, but a debut fight against one of the best champions in the sport, let alone the defending flyweight champion, was always going to be a tough task. But against an aging veteran like Tim Elliott? I definitely see Asakura displaying his full abilities that made him a champion in RIZIN on display here. It’s going to be a battle between Elliott’s wrestling game and Asakura’s striking – and with Asakura being the more well-rounded fighter in my eyes, it’s obvious where I lean to here. (Prediction: Asakura)
Ryan Jarrell: Father Time is undefeated and I expect that old saying to ring true in this scrap. Tim Elliot is closing in on 39 years old and that’s a big deal especially for a lighter weight class. Kai Asakura still must have a bad taste in his mouth from his UFC debut fight loss to the champion, Pantoja. Asakura is legit and coming in to his prime where Elliot is close to the end. No need to overthink this one, give me Asakura all day. (Prediction: Asakura)
Consensus: 3-0 Asakura
Middleweight: Jared Cannonier vs. Michael Page
Images: UFC.com
Pranav Pandey: I’ll be honest, this matchup is tricky to predict. Both fighters are arguably past their peak, yet each still brings dangerous tools to the table. “Venom” retains his trademark flair for unpredictable, complex striking. Add in his nimble footwork, and he could give Cannonier plenty of problems. That said, “The Killa Gorilla” has only fallen short against the elite of the elite. His raw power and fight-ending shots could be the exact antidote to Page’s movement-heavy style. If Cannonier can cut off the cage and let his hands go, he might just put a stop to the Brit’s night. (Prediction: Cannonier)
Thomas Albano: This is an interesting battle between two fighters who are past their prime but still relevant in the middleweight contender scene. Cannonier obviously has got some strong wrestling, and while Page’s abilities in this area aren’t the strongest, we have seen him defend well before. And besides that, he’s going to have the reach and striking advantages here. MVP can still hit well for an older fighter, and I expect that his striking is going to do far better work than Cannonier’s grappling. I expect this one to go the distance, and I see MVP getting his hand raised. (Prediction: Page)
Ryan Jarrell: I am very excited to see this fight from a stylistic standpoint. Venom Page is coming up a weight class against a veteran fighter with heavy hands and a granite chin. I am very interested to see if his slick movement will be on point and allow him to evade the power shots of Cannonier for a full fifteen minutes. I expect the Killa Gorilla to land something big and if he cannot, he will use his grappling and strength advantage to help him win a decision. (Prediction: Cannonier)
Consensus: 2-1 Cannonier
Welterweight: Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates
Images: UFC.com
Pranav Pandey: They don’t call Neal “Handz of Steel” for nothing. The veteran slugger has made a career out of crashing parties with his heavy hands. That said, Neal has historically struggled against opponents with a significant reach advantage. Prates may have lost some momentum after his setback against Ian Garry, but “The Nightmare” remains a dangerous striker with the power to live up to his nickname. If he can impose his range and keep Neal at the end of his shots, Prates could find himself right back in the win column. (Prediction: Prates)
Thomas Albano: This is going to be Carlos Prates’ first fight since his undefeated record was ended at the hands of Ian Machado Garry. Prates could have been undefeated if it wasn’t for not doing enough when he had Garry down in the fight’s last minute in a bad way. The fight showed that while Prates wasn’t the better man on that night, he can still be a dangerous fighter. And given the power we’ve seen from Geoff Neal, this makes this fight more intriguing. I expect Prates will use his reach advantage to keep distance and land a powerful blow that does damage, gaining back any momentum lost with a solid finish here. (Prediction: Prates)
Ryan Jarrell: Carlos Prates is one of the most exciting young fighters in the entire sport right now and has the fighting style to become your favorite fighter’s favorite fighter. He smokes heaters before weighing in and then throws heat come fight night. Geoff Neal is a dangerous veteran fighter who throws hard and likes a fire fight. I expect both men to have their moments early on before Prates lands a big shot that changes the trajectory of the fight from a fight of the night candidate to a violent and exciting TKO finish. (Prediction: Prates)
Consensus: 3-0 Prates
Featherweight: Lerone Murphy vs. Aaron Pico
Images: UFC.com & Bellator MMA
Pranav Pandey: Murphy has been tearing through the featherweight division, riding a nine-fight unbeaten streak in the UFC, a run that speaks volumes about his skill and consistency. With wins over battle-tested names like Dan Ige, Josh Emmett, and Edson Barboza, “The Miracle” has proven to be a genuine problem for anyone at 145. That said, while he’s durable and experienced, I don’t quite see him as a complete fighter or a true knockout threat. His vulnerability in takedown defense could open the door for trouble, especially against someone like Pico.
Pico enters for his UFC debut carrying the pressure of high expectations, but also the confidence of being a reliable finisher. The real question is whether he can translate that finishing ability against an opponent of Murphy’s pedigree, a level he hasn’t faced before. In my opinion, if Pico leans on his strengths and executes with precision, he could turn some heads, but getting past Murphy won’t be easy. (Prediction: Pico)
Thomas Albano: Good on Aaron Pico to receive a major opportunity for his UFC debut after losing his initial opponent in Movsar Evloev. But let’s be clear; that’s a fight that shouldn’t have been made in the first place. Evloev should be getting a featherweight title shot next. But now that’s no longer an issue, and instead Pico must deal with another unbeaten featherweight in Lerone Murphy. Murphy’s coming into this fight off a win over Josh Emmett, and he’s going to be looking for a statement win here to give himself positioning in the title picture as well.
I think everyone riding Pico’s hype train needs to pump the breaks, however. Yes, he’s got knockout power and a strong wrestling background. But he was heavily hyped when he made his professional debut in Bellator, too, and that didn’t go well. Pico’s track record may have been OK for Bellator/PFL standards, but Murphy’s track record completely blows Pico’s out of the water. I believe in Murphy’s all-around game a lot more, and after the way fellow Bellator alums Patricio Pitbull and Patchy Mix have faired in their UFC debuts, I have a lot of doubts. This may be a dog walk. (Prediction: Murphy)
Ryan Jarrell: This is going to be an interesting fight because Lerone Murphy is extremely legit but fighting as the underdog against a debuting fighter in the UFC with a ton of hype behind him. Pico is very dangerous and has the capability of being a force in this division for a long time. We have seen hyped prospects underperform in their UFC debuts time and time again and I believe we will see it one more time at UFC 319. Murphy is too well rounded and has been fighting the better competition for quite some time now. I expect him to dictate where the fight takes place and fight intelligently throughout fifteen minutes en route to a safe decision victory. (Prediction: Murphy)
Consensus: 2-1 Murphy
Middleweight Title: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev
Images: UFC.com
Pranav Pandey: This is the type of matchup that makes the entire MMA community hold its breath, and trust me, I’m just as hyped as you are. It’s the kind of clash shrouded in pure unpredictability. Chimaev has been an unstoppable wrecking ball since the moment he stepped into the Octagon, and I genuinely believe the danger he brings to Du Plessis is very real. But here’s where I disagree with the popular narrative: people are way too quick to write off “Stillknocks.” He’s not holding that belt by accident, and by the oddsmakers, he’s still not getting the credit a champion of his caliber deserves.
“Borz” thrives in one area above all, his relentless wrestling and takedown game. For Du Plessis, surviving that storm in the opening half of the fight will be absolutely critical, and in my opinion, if anyone has the grit to weather it, it’s DDP. Many see him as chaotic and unpredictable, but I’ve always believed there’s a method to that madness. I think the real turning point of this fight will reveal itself once we cross into the championship rounds. If Du Plessis can shut down Chimaev’s wrestling by that point, the momentum could swing violently in his favor. With Chimaev’s cardio still in question, the later rounds could be where DDP takes over and finishes the job. (Prediction: Du Plessis)
Thomas Albano: Those who know me know that I have been following Dricus Du Plessis since his days in EFC Africa in 2016. I’ve been a longtime member of the DDP hype train, but this is a fight I have been debating so much with myself about. And that’s because right now I think Khamzat Chimaev has the best shot out of anyone in the division to beat him. Plus, Chimaev has history on his side –the two other men who have beaten Robert Whittaker at 185 before him (Israel Adesanya and DDP [I said before Chimaev, so Reinier de Ridder doesn’t count here]) have gone on to become champion.
Chimaev has such an amazing wrestling game, and I expect him to take DDP down right away and try to put him out as quickly as possible. That’s certainly going to be a problem for DDP, but if DDP weathers that early storm, is that going to be a problem for Chimaev? DDP’s last few fights have shown us that if the bout goes to championship rounds, he’s now able to go the full 25 minutes. Can Chimaev? The longer this fight goes, the more it favors the defending champion.
And all the pre-fight media stuff I’ve seen this, there’s something in the air. Something weird. Normally I get this feeling when a fighter is overconfident and doesn’t take their opponent seriously; that’s not what I’m getting from DDP. It feels like DDP has just the right amount of confidence from the other times he was counted out. It’s convinced others here to go with DDP…so since I’ve been a longtime member of his hype train, I should as well, shouldn’t I? (Prediction: Du Plessis)
Ryan Jarrell: This title fight is easily one of my most highly anticipated fights of the year. I cannot wait to see the chess match that takes place in this fight between two of the very best fighters on the planet right now. I expect Khamzat to start aggressive like he usually does, but will he be able to overwhelm the Champ and keep him playing defense like so many of his previous foes? I don’t expect that to be the case, as Du Plessis has proven to have the style and skillset to adapt to whomever he is fighting and find ways to fight the way he wants to. Dricus Du Plessis continues to prove the doubters wrong each and every time he climbs into the octagon and I don’t expect this fight to be any different. Dricus will weather the early storm and start to take over as the fight progresses and gets to the championship rounds. Ultimately, I see the champ winning on the scorecards in a fairly straightforward unanimous fashion. (Prediction: Du Plessis)
Consensus: 3-0 Du Plessis
That’ll do it for our UFC 319 staff picks! What do you think? Do your predictions look similar? Let us know in the comments section!
Also, you can check out the full UFC 319 card below.
Main Card:
Middleweight Championship: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev
Featherweight: Lerone Murphy vs. Aaron Pico
Welterweight: Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates
Middleweight: Jared Cannonier vs. Michael Page
Flyweight: Tim Elliott vs. Kai Asakura
Preliminary Card:
Middleweight: Gerald Meerschaert vs. Michał Oleksiejczuk
Women’s Strawweight: Jessica Andrade vs. Loopy Godinez
Lightweight: Chase Hooper vs. Alexander Hernandez
Lightweight: Edson Barboza vs. Drakkar Klose
Early Preliminary Card:
Middleweight: Bryan Battle vs. Nursulton Ruziboev
Women’s Flyweight: Karine Silva vs. Dione Barbosa
Welterweight: TUF Finale: Rodrigo Sezinando vs. Daniil Donchenko
Flyweight: TUF Finale: Alibi Idiris vs. Joseph Morales
The UFC 319 card suffered a late blow with a fight scrapped just two days before the event.
According to a recent report from BJPENN.com’s Cole Shelton, the veteran lightweight clash between Diego Ferreira and King Green has been called off for reasons yet to be known. At this time, it remains uncertain whether the bout will be rescheduled for a future event.
Ferreira was slated to return to action at UFC 319 after a unanimous decision loss to Grant Dawson at UFC 311 this past January. The 40-year-old Brazilian is enduring one of the toughest stretches of his career, with a 2-4 run over his last six Octagon outings. He holds a 10-6 UFC record, with five of those victories coming by knockout.
Meanwhile, Green last competed at UFC 313 this past March, suffering a brutal knockout defeat to Mauricio Ruffy. That setback followed a submission loss to Paddy Pimblett at UFC 304 in July 2024. The 38-year-old American’s most recent victory came at UFC 300 against Jim Miller, but inconsistency has kept him from maintaining momentum. He currently boasts a UFC record of 13-12-1 with one no contest.
Photo by Tim Wheaton
What Does The Full UFC 319 Fight Card Look Like?
UFC 319 is set for this Saturday, August 16, at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Topping the bill, reigning middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis will put his belt on the line for a third time in a blockbuster showdown with Khamzat Chimaev.
In the co-main event, featherweight contender Lerone Murphy takes on highly touted debutant Aaron Pico in a compelling matchup. The UFC 319 main card also features a welterweight clash between Geoff Neal and Carlos Prates, a middleweight battle between Jared Cannonier and Michael Page, and a flyweight contest between Tim Elliott against former title challenger Kai Asakura.
The undefeated Chechen wrecking ball ‘Borz’ Khamzat Chimaev steps into UFC 319 Saturday night with an unblemished record and a reputation for absolute mayhem. Heading into his middleweight title shot against Dricus du Plessis in Chicago, let’s break down the five fights that transformed Khamzat Chimaev from unknown commodity to championship contender.
The Top 5 Khamzat Chimaev Fights in the UFC
5. Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kamaru Usman (UFC 294)
The veteran test that proved Chimaev belonged in title conversations. Taking on former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman on short notice, Chimaev faced his first real adversity inside the octagon. After dominating the opening round with a 10-8 performance that nearly finished “The Nigerian Nightmare,” Chimaev discovered what happens when fights go past the first frame.
Usman rallied hard in rounds two and three, lighting up Chimaev with crisp boxing combinations and proving the hype train could be slowed. Chimaev’s cardio questions emerged as he visibly slowed, but his championship heart answered back. A late takedown in the final round sealed a majority decision victory (29-27, 29-27, 28-28).
This wasn’t the typical Chimaev destruction job. This was a grown man’s fight that showcased both his championship ceiling.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uxb8YwxRIWk
4. Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kevin Holland (UFC 279)
The submission clinic that reminded everyone why Chimaev is terrifying. After missing weight by eight pounds and causing chaos at the pre-fight press conference, Chimaev had something to prove against BJJ black belt Kevin Holland. He proved it in brutal fashion.
Holland never stood a chance. Chimaev shot for the takedown immediately, and what followed was two minutes of absolute grappling domination. The sequence of scrambles, transitions, and relentless pressure culminated in a D’Arce choke that forced Holland to tap at 2:13 of the first round.
Making a BJJ black belt look like a white belt on the mat is no small feat. Chimaev’s grappling IQ shined as he consistently stayed one step ahead of Holland’s defensive efforts. Weight cutting issues aside, this man remains a problem for anyone in his path.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0dA0ntUMeg
3. Khamzat Chimaev vs. Li Jingliang (UFC 267)
The comeback fight that included perhaps the most memorable moment in UFC history. After a year away due to COVID-19 complications, Chimaev returned at UFC 267 with something to prove. He proved it by literally carrying Li Jingliang around the octagon like luggage.
The iconic sequence saw Chimaev lift Li off the ground during a takedown attempt, carry him across the cage toward Dana White’s position, and have a casual conversation with the UFC president while holding a grown man in the air. White later revealed Chimaev was shouting things like “I’m going to fight everybody, I’ll fight Brock Lesnar, I don’t care who it is”.
After the theatrical display, Chimaev got back to business, securing a rear-naked choke at 3:16 of the first round. The submission capped a performance that was equal parts dominant and bizarre. Only Chimaev could turn a title elimination fight into performance art.
2. Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whittaker (UFC 308)
The jaw-breaking performance that announced Chimaev as a legitimate title contender. Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker entered this fight riding momentum from wins over Paulo Costa and Ikram Aliskerov. He left with a broken jaw and three teeth displaced backward into his mouth.
Chimaev needed just 3:34 to secure the face crank submission that left Whittaker tapping frantically. The finish looked like a standard submission until the gruesome aftermath photos revealed the damage: a fractured mandible that required immediate medical attention.
“I felt something was wrong with his chin when I pushed it, so I feel bad for that,” Chimaev said afterward. The performance was clinical, dominant, and frankly uncomfortable to watch. It also erased any doubts about Chimaev’s readiness for a title shot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlAuBhsCHyI
1. Khamzat Chimaev vs. Gilbert Burns (UFC 273)
The fight that proved Chimaev was more than hype. Before this encounter, critics questioned whether the undefeated prospect could handle elite competition. Gilbert Burns, a former title challenger with legitimate knockout power, provided the perfect litmus test. What followed was 2022’s Fight of the Year.
The opening round showcased classic Chimaev domination with a picture-perfect jab that dropped Burns. But Burns roared back in the second round, landing bombs that visibly hurt Chimaev and scored his own knockdown. For the first time in his career, Chimaev was in a dogfight.
The final frame became an all-out war. Both men threw everything they had, exchanging heavy shots while their corners screamed instructions. Chimaev’s durability and heart shined as he absorbed punishment and kept marching forward. When the final bell rang, both fighters embraced, knowing they had created something special.
The unanimous decision victory (29-28 across all scorecards) elevated both men. Burns proved he still belonged among the welterweight elite, while Chimaev proved he could win ugly when his usual dominance wasn’t available. The performance answered every question about his championship mettle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ik3NiJ6lYlw
UFC 319
As Chimaev prepares for his title shot at UFC 319, these five fights tell the story of his progress from destroyer to complete mixed martial artist. The Gerald Meerschaert knockout and early finishes built the hype. The Burns war proved the substance behind it. Saturday night in Chicago, we find out if that substance includes championship gold.
Khamzat Chimaev is nothing more than another stepping stone toward Dricus du Plessis’ ultimate MMA goal.
After bagging impressive title defenses against Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland, ‘DDP’ will face his toughest test yet when he puts his undisputed middleweight gold on the line against ‘Borz’ at UFC 319 this Saturday night, August 16, in Chicago.
Sitting on an impressive 9-0 run inside the Octagon, du Plessis dreams of one day retiring from mixed martial arts as the greatest fighter the sport has ever seen. With a win over Chimaev, the South African sensation believes he’ll be one step closer to achieving that goal.
“I don’t care what the fans see,” du Plessis told Helen Yee. “Every time I defend that title, there’s going to be a next best guy. And that’s how I see him. He’s the next step. He’s the next guy in my way to becoming the greatest.”
Will Dricus du Plessis continue to defy the odds against Khamzat Chimaev?
As was the case in seven of his nine fights under the UFC banner, du Plessis goes into UFC 319 as the underdog. As it stands, the undefeated Chechen monster is a 2-to-1 favorite to leave ‘Chi-Town’ with the 185-pound crown wrapped around his waist.
Of course, du Plessis has made a career out of defying the odds.
Robert Whittaker was a -400 favorite to defeat ‘DDP’ before getting brutally knocked out by ‘Stillknocks’ at UFC 290. ‘DDP’ was then a +130 underdog in his first title tilt with Sean Strickland and a +150 dog in his subsequent title defense against ‘The Last Stylebender’ in August 2024.
Will du Plessis defy the odds once again and take another giant step towards MMA immortality? Fortunately, we won’t have to wait much longer to find out.
Perhaps the most exciting bit of news is the fact that fans will no longer have to shell out $80 per month for pay-per-view events as all UFC cards, including premium numbered shows, will air exclusively on on Paramount’s streaming service, effectively killing the promotion’s antiquated pay-per-view era.
That’ll save UFC fans nearly $1,000 annually, but it may come with a cost.
“The fans are big winners because now it goes from having a plus subscription, plus having to buy pay-per-views for $79.99,” Ariel Helwani said while discussing the UFC/Paramount deal. “If you’re a hardcore fan, that equals approximately $1,000 a year. Now, you don’t have to do that anymore. And as of right now, it’s either eight bucks or 13 bucks to be a Paramount+ subscriber. Way cheaper than being an ESPN Plus UFC fan.”
“The fighters, to me, they’re the big losers here. Not because the viewership gets affected, that remains to be seen. But they’re sitting here watching all the executives wave their pompoms and say how great this is. They’re hearing Dana White say, this is good for the fighters. So I ask, how is it good for the fighters? Is the base pay going up? Is the introductory pay going up? Are they getting rid of the show-win model? Are the performance bonuses now going to be $100k a pop as opposed to 50k? What becomes of the champions with pay-per-view points? No one has told the fighters. They didn’t consult them. They don’t have to. There’s no collective bargaining agreement.”
Dana White confirms fighter bonuses will increase with Paramount deal
With implementation of the UFC/Paramount deal still months away, there’s plenty of time for Dana White and Co. to figure out how to make up for a fighter’s lost PPV points, though White did acknowledge that bonuses would be “going up” following Tuesday’s episode of DWCS.
“Bonuses are obviously going up,” White said. “So that’ll be big. And just forget about the tide rising with all the other fighters. I mean, just the number that the bonuses bring to a fighter is millions of dollars.”
When he was awarded his new UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series, Baysangur Susurkaev held up four fingers. The message was he wanted a quick turnaround — he wanted to fight at UFC 319 this coming weekend to be on the same card as his teammate, UFC middleweight title challenger Khamzat Chimaev.
And now, it appears Susurkaev is going to be getting his wish.
As initially reported on social media by Zac Coffman, host of the 4oz to Freedom podcast, Susurkaev will be competing in a short-notice bout for this weekend’s pay-per-view card, taking on Eric Nolan.
🚨FIGHT NEWS🚨
After taking no damage in his #DWCS fight last night, Baysangur Susurkaev will be making his @UFC DEBUT…
Baysangur Susurkaev vs. Eric Nolan Booked For This Weekend’s UFC 319 On Three Days’ Notice
Susurkaev was arguably the only standout performer of the premiere for season nine of Dana White’s Contender Series, which took place yesterday, August 12. Susurkaev scored a body-kick KO of Murtaza Talha in the night’s sole finish, leading to the UFC CEO and President to say he loved everything about him and told him to stand by for a major opportunity.
The opportunity for Susurkaev mirrors that of Chimaev’s first appearances with the UFC. After Chimaev quickly submitted John Phillips at UFC Fight Island 1 in July 2020, Chimaev turned around 10 days later for a short-notice fight with Rhys McKee at UFC Fight Island 3, scoring a first-round finish.
Prior to the DWCS appearance, which improved him to 9-0, Susurkaev had most recently fought in February, finishing Irakli Kuchukhidze at Fury FC 102.
Nolan, who is 8-3, won the CFFC welterweight title in May with a three-minute knockout of Blayne Richards at CFFC 142.
Undefeated UFC featherweight Lerone Murphy has explained why Mike Tyson has always been a big inspiration of his.
On Saturday night, Lerone Murphy will attempt to make his case for a shot at the UFC featherweight championship. He’ll do this by trying to defeat Aaron Pico, who has a lot of hype behind him after making the move over from the Bellator-PFL brand. Of course, while Murphy may be unbeaten, this isn’t exactly going to be a walk in the park for him.
For Lerone Murphy, it’s about proving a point. He isn’t the most thrilling fighter in the division when it comes to picking up stoppage wins, but so long as he can keep grinding out victories, it’ll be hard to deny that he deserves a shot at the belt.
In a recent interview with Card Player, Lerone Murphy spoke candidly about why he sees Mike Tyson as an inspiration in his career.
Lerone Murphy reveals Mike Tyson as his inspiration
“My inspiration has always been Mike Tyson, just because I believe he had a similar upbringing as me, around the same stuff. And then turned his life around, went into fighting early and just smashed it and he was just himself. I’ve read his book and I’ve watched all his podcasts. That’s somebody that inspired me the most in terms of combat sports. He also had a crazy mindset that I relate to.”
UFC star Michael ‘Venom’ Page has given his thoughts on the upcoming UFC 319 main event between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev.
On Saturday night, we will see Dricus du Plessis defend his UFC middleweight championship against Khamzat Chimaev. It’s a fight that has been a long time coming, and it’s easily one of the most unpredictable title bouts of the year. They have dramatically different styles, they’re both physical, and they both go on the hunt for a finish.
There are a lot of different ways it can go, and the predictions that have been flying in are all over the place. Some are backing Dricus du Plessis to simply outlast Khamzat Chimaev, whereas others can see ‘Borz’ getting the champ out of there early.
In a recent podcast appearance, Michael Page became the latest fighter to weigh in on what could go down when Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev finally collide.
MVP previews Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev
“When we talk about Dricus Du Plessis versus Khamzat Chimaev, the thing people don’t realise is that both fighters are so different in their chaos. Dricus is unorthodox and unpredictable, and that makes him dangerous even when he looks like he’s slowing down. Khamzat is pure intensity from bell to bell, but if you can survive that first hurricane, you start to see the openings. Both are beatable, but you have to be willing to walk through fire to get there.”
UFC commentator Joe Rogan has explained why being a fighter is one of the craziest jobs out there.
As we know, Joe Rogan has served as one of the main voices of the Ultimate Fighting Championship over the course of the last few decades. In that time, he’s seen a lot of fighters come and go – and he’s seen the sport of mixed martial arts evolve in ways that few of us could’ve imagined was possible. In the present day, the UFC has just signed a new blockbuster deal with Paramount that looks set to take the promotion to a whole new level.
Joe Rogan will be along for the ride, continuing to defend and promote mixed martial arts against all of those who criticize it. While not everyone is going to be a big fan of the product, largely due to the violent nature of the sport, it certainly seems to be getting accepted more so now than it was even just a few years ago.
“It’s very different than a street fight because you’re agreeing to it and you’re training for it. You’ve got this other person who’s like training. You know they’re scary as [expletive] and they’re on the other side of the cage and then you step in and the two of you are about to go to war. It’s the nuttiest job in the history of the world. It really is. Other than war and being a firefighter or a cop, it is the nuttiest job in the history of the world. You’re agreeing to throw bones at each other in front of the world. Millions of people. People love it.”
Undefeated UFC featherweight Lerone Murphy believes that Khamzat Chimaev will be able to pick up the win over Dricus du Plessis in the main event of UFC 319.
On Saturday night, Khamzat Chimaev will challenge Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship. It’s expected to be a highly technical, back and forth affair, and in truth, it’s pretty hard to conclusively say who is the favorite. Chimaev has his incredible wrestling ability, whereas du Plessis is one of the most unpredictable fighters in UFC history.
They both have numerous paths to victory, and regardless of whether it ends via early finish or decision, we expect that there are going to be plenty of chaotic moments for fans to enjoy.
In a recent interview with Card Player, the aforementioned Lerone Murphy backed Khamzat Chimaev to secure the win and the title via submission.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HapRvYu44is
Lerone Murphy’s view on Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev
“Khamzat’s all gas on the pedal. Everyone’s saying if Khamzat wins he wins in the first round and if Dricus wins he wins later rounds. But I think you have to put more respect on Khamzat. He is not just going to gas out after the first round and give up if you don’t finish him. It’s going to be a tough fight for both of them, to be honest. But I see Khamzat getting his hand raised – maybe getting a third or second round submission.”
UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis isn’t impressed by the size of UFC 319 opponent Khamzat Chimaev ahead of their clash on Saturday night.
This weekend, Dricus du Plessis will defend his middleweight crown against Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of UFC 319. It’s expected to be a pretty competitive back and forth affair, and while it’s hard to predict what’s going to happen, there’s no denying that DDP will do well to overcome the dominant wrestling style that Chimaev possesses.
Recently, the two men bumped into one another during fight week. Khamzat Chimaev came up to Dricus du Plessis and shook his hands, the pair seemed to be pretty professional about the whole thing. Of course, that could all come crumbling down like a house of cards during the upcoming UFC 319 press conference.
In a recent interview, Dricus du Plessis made it clear that he didn’t feel like Khamzat was that much bigger than him.
Dricus du Plessis doesn’t care about Khamzat Chimaev’s size
“I don’t give a s*** how big he is. It’s not what wins fights, but yeah, I saw him. He’s not definitely not bigger than me.”
du Plessis has never been the kind of guy who is going to shy away from a fight. If anything, he’s going to embrace it. The South African sensation is heading into this one with all the confidence in the world and if he can pull off the win, he’ll started to be talked about as one of the greatest middleweights of all time.
UFC has just announced a new massive rights deal with Paramount but the promotion’s decision to phase out pay-per-views when we enter 2026 has Georges St-Pierre concerned for the future well being of fighters and their financial situation. The rights agreement was announced on Monday with Paramount that netted the MMA leader a whopping $7.7 billion dollars over the course of the seven year deal.
Paramount+ or CBS will now carry numbered events for the UFC but Georges St-Pierre does not seem convinced this idea will be beneficial to the in-cage competitors contracted to the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Negotiating a cut of the capital accrued by pay-per-view events used to be a major piece of the negotiating equation for combatants with GSP likely cashing sizable cheques from the PPV points that the massive shows he was featured on would have garnered.
This subject was discussed during an interview with Covers when St-Pierre said,
“It could be good for the UFC, as a promoter, but terrible for the fighters because when I was competing I was able to have a great argument to negotiate on my contract. I could tell the UFC, ‘Hey, if you want me to do all the promotion, I want to become a partner. I want a piece of the pie to negotiate a part of the pay-per-view revenue.”
“Because if I’m doing all the promotion, I’m helping you, but you need to help me. You need to make me a partner.’ So it might be a bad thing for the fighters in a way that they have less leverage. “That’s what I think. I think it’s going to take off some leverage for the big names to have an argument to negotiate more money.”
UFC PPV points and Georges St-Pierre’s legacy as a star
While the UFC PPV points were not historically widely available to the public as far as specific amounts fighters would receive, it provided a lane for standout athletes to at least earn a bit more in a spot that is notorious for having such low revenue share among the athletes. GSP’s last outing took place in November 2017 when he finished Michael Bisping to become the UFC middleweight champion at UFC 217 and has been in some of the biggest blockbuster bouts in the history of mixed martial arts.
Georges St-Pierre’s involvement with UFC 100 made it an all time iconic show for the company with Brock Lesnar engaging in a rematch with Frank Mir in the headliner but GSP also did huge nights of business with Nick Diaz at UFC 158, BJ Penn in a rematch at UFC 94, Jake Shields at UFC 129, and a sequel clash with Josh Koscheck at UFC 124 to name but a few.
Welcome, everyone, to the 12th and final edition of The TUF Stuff!
Each week, I’ll be guiding you through a recap of this season’s edition of The Ultimate Fighter, providing updates on what happens in each episode — from the drama and storylines out of the Octagon, to the looks into who the competing fighters are, to what goes down inside the cage.
This season celebrates the 20th anniversary of TUF. That inaugural season from 2005 helped to influence many future MMA fans, media members, and fighters (yours truly included). And now, two more fighters this summer will get the opportunity to call themselves TUF champions when it’s all said and done.
Last week saw the second flyweight semifinal, with Team Sonnen’s Joseph Morales scoring a highly controversial decision over Team Cormier’s Imanol Rodriguez. Morales will face Alibi Idiris in the flyweight finale during the UFC 319 prelims this Saturday.
Recap of The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 – Episode 12
Now, Team Cormier’s Daniil Donchenko faces Team Sonnen’s Matt Dixon for the right to face Team Cormier’s Rodrigo Sezinando in the welterweight finale at UFC 319!
Let’s get into episode 12 of The Ultimate Fighter!
Out In Las Vegas
As a thank you to the fighters for partaking in the celebration of TUF’s 20th anniversary, Dana White, Daniel Cormier, and Chael Sonnen took the fighters out to Las Vegas. A Vegas Hilton billboard spotlights TUF artwork. Sonnen says while it’s hard for them to call themselves one, considering it’s a competition, tonight is a night they could celebrate their accomplishments. Cormier tells the TUF cast they are all special kids with bright futures ahead of them.
The fighters take time out at Fuhu Restaurant at Resorts World.
Cormier says the attitudes of the teams are telling, with Cormier and his team being wild, while Sonnen and his team acting professional.
TUF House
Members of Team Sonnen sat around a fire, reflecting on how they got to partake in such an experience. Andreaas Binder reflects that he will miss everyone in the TUF House.
Team Sonnen Training Session – Rashad Evans Joins
Assistant Coach Jamie Huey brings in a UFC Hall of Famer to join them with Chael Sonnen unable to join afternoon practice — TUF season two winner and season 10 coach, and former UFC light heavyweight champion, Rashad Evans.
Evans tells the guys that this is a “savage sport” despite the comradery. “You have to tap into that savagery when you’re out there,” Evans said. “Because guess what? That’s what you’re up against.”
Dixon says Evans is deep and wise from his experience.
Evans works with the team on transitions, saying the best fighters fight in transition. He adds that fighters have to bring the violence and be willing to sacrifice to get to the top.
Matt Dixon Call Home
Dixon receives a call from his family, looking in awe especially at his daughter, whose first two teeth have grown in.
Dixon says this call from his family re-motivated him, reminding him why he’s here and why he does what he does.
Dixon says he’s super grateful he got to do this opportunity, and his family are proud of what he’s doing.
Daniil Donchenko Fight Prep
Cormier says that Donchenko needs to fight smart and creatively, and he needs to out-pressure Dixon.
Donchenko says he saw holes in Dixon’s game and feels he has the ability to knock Dixon out.
Cormier says Dixon will put on pressure and try to brawl with Donchenko — a kind of fight that falls into Donchenko’s hands.
Cormier says the fight will be a war, and that while Dixon likes to bring the fight, Donchenko takes that kind of fight in.
Donchenko says his knees and elbows will go into Dixon’s face and body and promises to do damage. Donchenko compares he and Dixon’s fighting styles to fire and water.
Team Cormier Training Session & TUF House
Michael Chiesa presents Donchenko with a fish, named Papito, Donchenko’s “Fighting Fish.” Donchenko says the gift means a lot to him because of his connection to his late father, whom he spent time fishing with, who passed away following a drug overdose.
An emotional Donchenko says it was that experience that reminded him to enjoy life and take nothing for granted — and to do everything you can to make it yours.
Matt Dixon Fight Prep
Sonnen says Dixon is both the strongest and most conditioned fighter on the team, calling him an animal.
Sonnen says Dixon has the power to knock Donchenko out, and he’s not sure about the other way around.
Dixon says his plan is to pressure and close the distance, implementing dirty boxing. When asked about taking Donchenko down, Dixon says he’s planning to mix that in.
Dixon says he’s prepared to go to a gritty place to take Donchenko out, calling himself both the better grappler and striker in this fight.
Dixon says we’ll find out if Donchenko is tough enough to take his shots, adding that if the fight is a three-round brawl, he’ll be happy with that.
Sonnen says this will be the fight of the season.
Daniil Donchenko Call Home
Donchenko has a conversation with his girlfriend. Donchenko says it feels strange being away for so long and now seeing her on television screen.
Donchenko’s girlfriend says the family is all supporting him and plenty of people are asking about him. Donchenko says he really misses her and will see her soon.
The Fight: Danill Donchenko vs. Matt Dixon
—–IF YOU HAVEN’T WATCHED THE EPISODE AND DON’T WANT TO BE SPOILED, THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO TURN AWAY NOW.———
Both fighters weigh in at 171. The fight is on!
Roybert Echeverria says the two have different kinds of striking styles. He wants to see how Donchenko reacts to Dixon’s pressure. Tumelo Manyamala says Donchenko says he’s good at countering the kind of pressure Dixon brings, with kicks included.
Dana White says this is perhaps the best of the semifinal matchups. He says both are explosive strikers who look for knockouts.
He carries that Ukrainian heritage on his back at all times 💪
The two move to the center. Dixon pressures Donchenko to the fence and lands an elbow. Donchenko tries to come in and Dixon clinches him against the fence. Donchenko pressure. Dixon lands a knee. Clinch battle and both men score. Knee to the body by Donchenko. Left hand by Dixon. Low kicks by Donchenko. Body shot by Donchenko. Dixon presses Donchenko to the fence again. Donchenko lands a strong elbow. Series of punches! But they’re landing on the back of the head! Referee Marc Smith calls time out!
The doctor clears Dixon, who is bloodied. Smith gives Donchenko a hard warning. Low kick by Donchenko. Donchenko tries to pressure. Right hand by Dixon. Donchenko lands a small flurry, but Donchenko is briefly dropped by a right hand! The two trading! One-two by Dixon, but Donchenko lands a power shot. More power shots! Donchenko pressures Dixon to the fence! Dixon goes down! Ground-and-pound! That’s it!
Danill Donchenko wins an explosive battle to reach the final!
Winner: Donchenko via first-round KO
Conclusion
Cormier says this was a fight that they all expected. White says Donchenko came to knock Dixon out, but Dixon fought back. Dixon ended up rocking Donchenko, but Cormier told Donchenko to take his time and search for opportunities. That came with an elbow that busted Dixon open.
Sonnen and Cormier says Dixon could have taken a DQ win, but Sonnen says that’s not the way the game is played — and Dixon followed that. Cormier says Dixon “got up and fought like a man.” White, however, says he doesn’t think Dixon was recovered fully when he chose to continue. Sonnen said he knew at that point Donchenko had won.
Cormier says Donchenko was the better fighter. White, however, gives credit to both men.
Dixon says he wanted a fight like this and called Donchenko a warrior.
Donchenko is hyped to be in the finale. He says he’ll be proud of himself today, but the next day it’s back to work as he chases the TUF title.
Face-offs are then held for the finale fights: Team Sonnen’s Joseph Morales vs. Team Cormier’s Alibi Idiris at flyweight and Rodrigo Sezinando vs. Danill Donchenko (both of Team Cormier) at welterweight.
Thanks for joining me on this ride for season 33 of TUF and for the final edition of The TUF Stuff!
