UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis is scheduled for his third title defense. He is set to face the undefeated contender Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319. The event is slated to take place on August 16th at the United Center in Chicago, USA.
The confirmation of this highly anticipated matchup came directly from UFC CEO Dana White during a live broadcast on Instagram.
Since capturing the 185-pound title from Sean Strickland in January 2024, Du Plessis has firmly established himself as a dominant figure in the division. He has already successfully defended his belt on two occasions: first by stopping former champion Israel Adesanya in August, followed by securing a points victory over Sean Strickland in their rematch in February.
Now, Du Plessis prepares for the challenge posed by Chimaev, who is finally receiving his long-awaited opportunity for a UFC championship fight. Known as “Borz,” Chimaev has openly expressed his aspirations for a title since joining the UFC ranks in July 2020. His path to the top has seen delays primarily due to injuries and various health issues. However, Khamzat solidified his position as the number one contender last October by delivering a first-round finish against former champion Robert Whittaker.
