Alex MacQuoid
On August 16, 2025, UFC 319 will bring high-octane mixed martial arts action back to Chicago’s United Center. This will be the promotion’s eighth trip to the city and its first since UFC 238 in June 2019. This fight card is packed with exciting fights in a lot of different weight classes, including the main event, a UFC Middleweight Championship match between the current champion, Dricus du Plessis, and an undefeated challenger, Khamzat Chimaev. The UFC 319 fight card has everything from featherweight fights to flyweight finals. It includes the main event, the preliminary fights, and the early preliminary fights.
Main Card: Title Fights and Contender Showdowns
The main show has five fights that look like they will be exciting. The fight for the middleweight title between Dricus du Plessis (23-2) and Khamzat Chimaev (14-0) is the main event. Du Plessis, who used to be the KSW welterweight champion, wants to protect his UFC title for the third time. Chimaev, on the other hand, wants to win gold with his deadly grappling and perfect record. Caio Borralho is the next-to-last fighter in this very important main event, and he is ready to step in if required.
In the featherweight division, Lerone Murphy faces Aaron Pico in a clash of rising stars. Murphy’s technical striking meets Pico’s wrestling prowess, making this a potential Fight of the Night contender. Welterweight action sees Geoff Neal take on Carlos Prates in a rescheduled bout from UFC 314, where Neal withdrew due to injury. Expect both fighters to bring bad intentions.
Middleweight veterans Jared Cannonier and Michael Page square off in a pivotal bout for the 185-pound division, while the flyweight final of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Cormier vs. Team Sonnen pits Tim Elliott against Kai Asakura, promising a fast-paced showdown to crown the next TUF champion.
Preliminary Card: Rising Stars and Veteran Grit
There are four interesting matches in the preliminary round. The fight between Gerald Meerschaert and Michał Oleksiejczuk is a battle of finishes. Another middleweight fight, between Baysangur Susurkaev and Eric Nolan, shows how deep the class is. In the women’s strawweight division, Jéssica Andrade and Loopy Godinez will fight. Their fast-paced battle could steal the show. Alexander Hernandez fights light heavyweight prospect Chase Hooper. The fight will test Hooper’s grappling skills against Hernandez’s strikes.
Early Preliminary Card: Emerging Talent Shines
The early prelims kick off the night with four bouts. Lightweight veterans Edson Barboza and Drakkar Klose promise a stand-up war, while middleweight prospects Bryan Battle and Nursulton Ruziboev look to climb the ranks. In the women’s flyweight division, Karine Silva faces Dione Barbosa after JJ Aldrich’s withdrawal due to undisclosed reasons. Rounding out the card, flyweights Alibi Idiris and Joseph Morales aim to make a statement.
Notable Changes and Storylines
The UFC 319 fight card wasn’t without its hiccups. Nassourdine Imavov was initially set as the backup for the main event but opted to pursue a fight with Caio Borralho, now headlining UFC Fight Night three weeks later. Borralho stepped in as the new backup for Du Plessis vs. Chimaev. A welterweight final for The Ultimate Fighter between Rodrigo Sezinando and Daniil Donchenko was scrapped due to Sezinando’s injury. Additionally, a lightweight bout between King Green and Carlos Diego Ferreira was canceled during fight week due to Green’s injury.
Why UFC 319 Is a Must-Watch
From the main event’s title implications to the depth of the undercard, UFC 319 delivers something for every MMA fan. Will Du Plessis continue his reign, or will Chimaev’s unbeaten streak lead him to the throne? Can veterans like Cannonier and Barboza hold off rising contenders? Tune in to UFC 319 live from Chicago’s United Center on August 16, 2025, to find out.
UFC 319 Fight Card Overview
| Weight Class | Fighter 1 | Fighter 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Card | |||
| Middleweight | Dricus du Plessis (c) | 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 |
| Middleweight | Baysangur Susurkaev | vs. | Eric Nolan |
| Women’s Strawweight | Jéssica Andrade | vs. | Loopy Godinez |
| Lightweight | Chase Hooper | vs. | Alexander Hernandez |
| Early Preliminary Card | |||
| Lightweight | Edson Barboza | vs. | Drakkar Klose |
| Middleweight | Bryan Battle | vs. | Nursulton Ruziboev |
| Women’s Flyweight | Karine Silva | vs. | Dione Barbosa |
| Flyweight | Alibi Idiris | vs. | Joseph Morales |