UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus du Plessis and undefeated contender Khamzat Chimaev are officially slated to face each other in a highly anticipated championship bout.
UFC CEO Dana White confirmed the matchup via Instagram Live. Du Plessis will defend his middleweight title against Chimaev in the main event of UFC 319, scheduled to take place on August 16th at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. This marks the promotion`s first return to the Windy City since UFC 238 in 2019.
Du Plessis has maintained an unbeaten record since joining the UFC in 2020. He captured the middleweight title in 2024 by defeating Sean Strickland via split decision at UFC 297. Following that victory, he successfully defended his championship by submitting Israel Adesanya in the fourth round at UFC 305. Most recently, du Plessis solidified his reign with a unanimous decision win over Strickland in their rematch at UFC 312 in February.
Khamzat Chimaev, who burst onto the scene as a major star in 2020, also remains undefeated in his professional career and has long been considered a prime candidate for UFC gold. Despite facing challenges with fight availability in recent years, Chimaev has delivered electrifying performances when competing, securing eight victories within the Octagon, six of which came by stoppage. His most recent outing saw him submit former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in the first round at UFC 308, a performance recognized as the 2024 Submission of the Year, which ultimately secured his long-awaited title shot.
