Chicago to Host UFC 319 with Championship Fight

News Summary

Chicago is set to welcome UFC 319, featuring Dricus Du Plessis defending his middleweight title against Khamzat Chimaev. This event marks the UFC’s return to the city after a four-year hiatus. The main card also includes other exciting matchups, enhancing its appeal to MMA fans. The event will be broadcasted on ESPN+ pay-per-view, marking a significant occasion for the UFC and its middleweight division.

Chicago Set to Host UFC 319 with Championship Fight and Spectator Matches

Chicago, Illinois, will host the upcoming UFC 319 event scheduled for August 16, featuring a highly anticipated main event where Dricus Du Plessis will defend his middleweight title against Khamzat Chimaev. This event marks a significant return to Chicago for the UFC, which has not hosted an event in the city since 2019.

Main Event: Middleweight Championship Fight

The headline bout pits Dricus Du Plessis, the reigning middleweight champion, against Khamzat Chimaev, a rising star ranked No. 3 in the UFC middleweight division. Both fighters are undefeated in UFC competition, with a combined appearance record of 17 fights. Du Plessis secured his title from Sean Strickland at UFC 297 and has successfully defended it twice—first against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 and then again against Sean Strickland at UFC 312. Chimaev earned his shot with an impressive victory over former champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 308, finishing the bout before the final bell.

Main Card Lineup

• TBD vs. TBD — Co-main event (details to be announced)
• Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates — Welterweight matchup
• Jared Cannonier vs. Michael “Venom” Page — Middleweight bout
• Tim Elliott vs. Kai Asakura — Flyweight match marking Elliott’s UFC return after a 1.5-year injury hiatus

The event’s preliminary card includes fighters such as King Green and Jessica Andrade, among others, adding further excitement to the evening’s lineup.

The UFC 319 event will stream on ESPN+ pay-per-view. The preliminary matches are scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN, while early preliminaries will be available on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass. Fans are advised to stay tuned for official updates, as further fight announcements and card details are expected in the upcoming days.

This marks a notable occasion, as UFC has not held an event in Chicago for over four years. The inclusion of top-ranked fighters such as Du Plessis and Chimaev has heightened anticipation among fans and analysts alike, emphasizing the event’s importance in the current UFC calendar. The presence of a title defense and potential future contenders makes UFC 319 a key fixture for the promotion’s middleweight division.

Additional Notes

While the main event has garnered much attention, the overall event continues to build excitement through its diverse lineup, featuring emerging talents and seasoned veterans. Updates on fight specifics and official card confirmation are expected shortly by the UFC organization.

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Additional Resources

• MMA News
• Wikipedia: UFC 319
• Forbes
• Google Search: UFC 319
• Bloody Elbow
• Encyclopedia Britannica: UFC
• CBS Sports
• Google News: UFC 319