UFC 319: Chimaev vs Du Plessis – Full Guide to Start Time, Fight Card, Odds & How to Watch

UFC 319 Chimaev vs Du Plessis headlines a stacked night in Chicago as unbeaten contender Khamzat Chimaev challenges reigning champion Dricus Du Plessis for the UFC middleweight title. This high-stakes main event blends relentless pressure with championship grit and has all the ingredients to become one of the most talked-about bouts of the year.

Event Overview: Date, Location & Broadcast

• Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
• Venue: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
• Early Prelims: 11 p.m. BST / 3 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. CT / 6 p.m. ET
• Prelims: 1 a.m. BST (Sun) / 5 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. CT / 8 p.m. ET (Sat)
• Main Card: 3 a.m. BST (Sun) / 7 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. CT / 10 p.m. ET (Sat)

How to watch UFC 319 live: In the UK, tune in on TNT Sports (stream via TNT Sports app and Discovery+). In the US, the main card streams on ESPN+, with early action available on UFC Fight Pass. Check local listings for international broadcasters.

Main Event Preview: Dricus Du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev

Dricus Du Plessis arrives as a battle-tested champion who thrives in chaos yet finds ways to control pace. The South African captured the belt by outpointing Sean Strickland in 2024, then defended it with a smart decision over Strickland and a statement submission of Israel Adesanya. He also owns a stoppage of ex-champion Robert Whittaker. Du Plessis’s style is unorthodox—awkward entries, surprising angles, and constant pressure—but it has proven effective against elite names.

Khamzat Chimaev counters with raw, suffocating dominance. Undefeated in professional MMA, he blends explosive wrestling with punishing top control and improving striking. His recent run includes a punishing first-round submission of Robert Whittaker and a clear decision over former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. While injuries and illness have limited his activity, Chimaev’s performances have kept him among the most feared contenders in the UFC.

Keys to Victory

• Du Plessis: Manage distance, deny extended wrestling exchanges, and drag the fight into deep waters. His cardio, resilience, and awkward rhythm can frustrate aggressive opponents and open late opportunities.
• Chimaev: Fast starts and relentless pressure. Chain takedowns, force mat returns, and punish with ground-and-pound. Early success can tilt momentum and sap Du Plessis’s counters.

UFC 319 Fight Card (Subject to change)

• Main Event – Middleweight Title: Dricus Du Plessis (c) vs Khamzat Chimaev
• Co-Main Event: TBA
• Additional bouts: TBA (check UFC.com or ESPN+ listings)

Start Time by Region

Use this quick guide to catch every round:

• US (ET): Early Prelims 6 p.m., Prelims 8 p.m., Main Card 10 p.m.
• US (PT): Early Prelims 3 p.m., Prelims 5 p.m., Main Card 7 p.m.
• UK (BST): Early Prelims 11 p.m., Prelims 1 a.m. Sun, Main Card 3 a.m. Sun
• EU (CEST): Early Prelims 12 a.m., Prelims 2 a.m., Main Card 4 a.m. (Sun)

How to Watch & Live Stream UFC 319

United States: Purchase the PPV through ESPN+; prelims may be included with an ESPN+ subscription. Early bouts often stream on UFC Fight Pass.

United Kingdom: Watch on TNT Sports; stream via the TNT Sports app or Discovery+.

Worldwide: Check local carriers or use UFC Fight Pass where available for prelims and international coverage.

Odds & Betting Snapshot

• Dricus Du Plessis: 13/8 (Underdog)
• Khamzat Chimaev: 1/2 (Favorite)

Chimaev opens as the betting favorite due to his unbeaten record and dominant grappling. Du Plessis’s championship pedigree and finishing ability, however, make this far from a foregone conclusion.

Storylines to Watch

• Undefeated aura vs championship mettle: Can Chimaev’s pace and pressure crack the champion, or will Du Plessis’s awkward timing and toughness expose holes?
• Grappling exchanges: Early takedowns could define the fight. If Chimaev lands top control, he can bank rounds or hunt a finish. If Du Plessis scrambles free, momentum swings.
• Championship rounds: If it reaches R4–R5, composure and cardio become decisive. Du Plessis has proven he can execute late; Chimaev’s best path is dominance early.

Expert Outlook & Prediction

Expect a high-pressure first round as Chimaev looks to impose wrestling and clinch control. Du Plessis will aim to create angles, counter the entries, and tax Chimaev’s arms with hand-fighting and underhooks. If the champion survives the early storm, the fight becomes a battle of attrition. Still, the challenger’s ability to force mistakes and capitalize quickly is elite.

Leaning prediction: A razor-thin main event where early control favors Chimaev, and late rallies favor Du Plessis. A finish is possible either way, but a tense, tactical decision wouldn’t surprise.

Quick FAQ: UFC 319

What is the UFC 319 start time? Early Prelims 6 p.m. ET, Prelims 8 p.m. Main Card 10 p.m. ET (Saturday).

Where is UFC 319? United Center, Chicago, Illinois.

How to watch UFC 319 live? ESPN+ PPV in the US; TNT Sports and Discovery+ in the UK; UFC Fight Pass for early bouts and select regions.

Who is favored? Khamzat Chimaev currently holds favorite status with sportsbooks.

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