Du Plessis vs Chimaev: UFC 319 Title Fight Set for August in Chicago

Dricus du Plessis is officially set to defend his UFC middleweight title against Khamzat Chimaev in a blockbuster clash scheduled for 16 August at the United Center in Chicago. This high-stakes matchup could shake up the UFC’s middleweight division and solidify the South African champion’s dominance.

The long-anticipated showdown was confirmed by UFC president Dana White during a round of major fight announcements early Wednesday morning (SA time). Du Plessis, boasting a 23–2 record, will face the undefeated Russian challenger, who is 14–0 and coming off a strong win over Robert Whittaker.

UFC 319 returns to Chicago

The event, UFC 319, will mark the organisation’s return to the iconic Chicago venue for the first time in six years. The build-up to the title fight has been brewing for months, fuelled by tension between the two fighters on social media and a mutual desire to settle the score inside the Octagon.

Since capturing the title and defending it twice — most recently against Sean Strickland in February — Du Plessis has faced top-tier competition, including Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker. Chimaev, meanwhile, is riding the momentum of a dominant submission win over Whittaker, his first fight after a ten-month layoff.

“I’m going out there to kill him”

The lead-up to the bout has been marked by heated exchanges. Du Plessis made his intentions clear on a past episode of Submission Radio, saying: “I’m going out there to attack, I’m going out there to kill him.” He added that he’s not approaching the fight defensively and expects an all-out war.

Chimaev, dubbed a future champion since joining the UFC in 2020, remains unbeaten and has a strong reputation for his relentless style. The Russian took issue with speculation that Du Plessis was dodging the fight, calling him “the biggest bulls**t” on X (formerly Twitter).

No injury, no backing down

The South African champion later dismissed the rumours of injury, calling them “entertaining but untrue.” He addressed Chimaev directly, saying, “I did not pull out of any fight, I am the champion. Just show up when we tell you to.”

The fight has all the makings of a classic, with two aggressive and undefeated forces in the UFC’s middleweight ranks clashing in what could be the defining bout of both their careers.

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Sourced:The Citizen

Picture: Inside Fighting