Kristina Roberts
When a fighter becomes so good that people start asking if anyone can beat him, you know he’s special. That’s exactly the feeling many fans have about Khamzat Chimaev. He has fought in the UFC without a single loss, crushing opponents with power, speed, and confidence. Normally, when a champion is unbeaten, the question is whether the new challenger can finally take him down. But this time, it’s the other way around. People are wondering—can Chimaev actually beat the champion, Dricus du Plessis?
UFC 319 is happening in Chicago, and the main event will give fans one of the biggest fights of the year. Khamzat Chimaev is stepping up to challenge Dricus du Plessis for the middleweight title. This is no ordinary fight—it’s a battle between two powerful, skilled, and confident fighters, both at the top of their game. Du Plessis, the champion from South Africa, has already defended his title twice. If he wins this time, it will be his third straight title defense, and it will also extend his winning streak to twelve fights in a row. That’s the kind of record that puts a fighter into the conversation for being one of the best of all time in his weight class.
For Khamzat Chimaev, this is the moment he has been building toward since he entered the UFC. His undefeated record makes him one of the most feared fighters in the sport today. His fights are often short, brutal, and one-sided. People still talk about the times he took barely any damage while completely dominating his opponents. But this fight against du Plessis will be his biggest test yet. Du Plessis isn’t just a strong striker; he’s also smart, patient, and dangerous in the later rounds. If Chimaev wants the belt, he will have to bring more than just his usual explosive style—he will need a plan to deal with a champion who refuses to quit.
The match-up is exciting because both fighters are so different yet equally dangerous. Chimaev is known for his relentless pressure. The moment the bell rings, he charges forward, throwing heavy punches and looking for a takedown. He doesn’t like to wait—he likes to control the fight from the very start. Du Plessis, on the other hand, can take a hit and keep going. He has a way of turning fights around when it looks like he’s in trouble. That’s why many believe this fight could be a long, back-and-forth battle instead of a quick finish.
If du Plessis wins, it will cement his place as one of the most dominant champions in middleweight history. A victory over an undefeated fighter like Chimaev would be a huge statement. People might start talking about him alongside legends of the sport. But if Chimaev wins, it could mark the start of a new era in the division. He would not only take the belt but also prove that all the hype around him was real. This fight is more than just about a title—it’s about legacy.
While the main event is stealing most of the attention, UFC 319 has more to offer. The co-main event will introduce UFC fans to Aaron Pico, a name that has been talked about for years. Pico has been considered a future superstar in the sport ever since he started his career. He was originally going to make his UFC debut against Movsar Evloev in Abu Dhabi, but plans changed. Now, he will be facing Lerone Murphy from England. Murphy is tough, skilled, and not afraid to go toe-to-toe with anyone. This fight is important for Pico because it’s his chance to prove that all the expectations placed on him are justified.
The rest of the card is filled with exciting fights, even though there is only one title match. Some people thought having just one championship fight might make the event less special, but the quality of the match-ups is so good that UFC 319 is still considered a must-watch event. The main card is packed with fighters who are hungry for a win, and that usually means high-energy, unpredictable bouts.
What makes UFC 319 stand out is that it has the perfect mix of storylines. On one side, you have an established champion trying to prove he’s the best in the world. On the other, you have an undefeated contender looking to take his place. In the co-main event, there’s a rising star who wants to live up to the hype. Add in the energy of a Chicago crowd, and you have the recipe for an unforgettable night.
The question of whether du Plessis can stop Chimaev is not just about skill—it’s about heart, strategy, and the ability to perform under extreme pressure. Fights like this are rare. Sometimes the hype is bigger than the fight itself, but here, both the hype and the skill level are real. Fans know that when the cage door closes, neither man is going to hold back.
The UFC has had some uneven events in 2025, with a few weekends of fights that didn’t quite deliver the excitement people hoped for. But UFC 319 is different. It’s the kind of card where almost every fight could be a highlight. That’s why people are calling it one of the best line-ups of the year.
When it comes to predictions, experts are divided. Some believe Chimaev’s speed and aggression will be too much for du Plessis. Others think du Plessis will weather the early storm and take over in the later rounds. Either way, the outcome is impossible to predict with certainty—which makes it even more exciting.
At the end of the night, one man will leave the cage with the middleweight belt. Whether it’s du Plessis keeping his crown or Chimaev taking it for the first time, fans will witness a fight that could be remembered for years. And that’s the magic of UFC—on any given night, history can be made.
