UFC 319 Press Conference Sets New 2025 Record – Du Plessis vs. Chimaev Ready for War
Fight fans are counting down the hours to UFC 319, one of the most anticipated MMA events of the year. Scheduled for Saturday, August 16, 2025, the action will unfold at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, with the UFC Middleweight Championship on the line as Dricus du Plessis takes on unbeaten contender Khamzat Chimaev.
Press Conference Draws Record-Breaking Crowd
Thursday’s pre-fight press conference proved the hype is real. The atmosphere in Chicago was electric as Du Plessis, Chimaev, and other fighters from the UFC 319 lineup engaged with fans and delivered high-energy exchanges. Staredowns at the end only fueled anticipation for fight night.
Viewership numbers tell the story. This press conference pulled in 110,000 live viewers, making it the most-watched UFC press event of 2025. That total beats the audience figures for UFC 311, UFC 317, and UFC 314. It’s clear that MMA enthusiasts across the globe are locked in for this card.
Main Event: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev
Du Plessis enters the Octagon as an undefeated champion, using an unorthodox yet effective fighting style to dominate opponents. Across the cage, Chimaev brings unmatched aggression and power, having finished most of his fights without breaking a sweat. With both men holding perfect UFC records, this bout promises high drama and championship-level intensity.
Full UFC 319 Fight Card
Main Card (PPV – 10 p.m. ET)
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Dricus du Plessis (c) vs. Khamzat Chimaev – Middleweight Championship
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Lerone Murphy vs. Aaron Pico – Featherweight
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Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates – Welterweight
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Jared Cannonier vs. Michael Page – Middleweight
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Tim Elliott vs. Kai Asakura – Flyweight
Prelims (8 p.m. ET) – Featuring rising contenders and key divisional matchups.
Early Prelims (6 p.m. ET) – Spotlighting UFC newcomers and future prospects.
How to Watch UFC 319
Fans in the United States can catch all the action live on ESPN+ PPV, while viewers in the U.K. can tune in via TNT Sports and Discovery+. Early prelims start at 6 p.m. ET, prelims at 8 p.m. and the PPV main card kicks off at 10 p.m. ET.
With record-setting fan engagement and a fight card stacked with talent, UFC 319 could be remembered as one of the most iconic events in MMA history.