UFC 319 Preview: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev Odds & Best Bets

In what some say could be the fight of the year, Dricus Du Plessis defends his middleweight title against undefeated challenger Khamzat Chimaev in the headline bout at UFC 319. The 12-fight card takes place on Saturday, August 16 from United Center in Chicago. Du Plessis won the strap with a split decision over Sean Strickland in January 2024 and successfully defended against Israel Adesanya and most recently Strickland again, taking down two of the top fighters in the division. That Du Plessis is a +180 underdog on the early UFC betting odds tells us plenty about Chimaev, who is currently the No. 3 contender in the division and a -225 favorite. ESPN networks will televise the fights with the main card on pay-per-view

UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev Odds

The main attraction can upset the hierarchy in the middleweight division. Both fighters have beaten some of the best in the division making this bout inevitable. While it might seem surprising to see the champion as an underdog on the early betting line it isn’t uncommon, especially for Du Plessis. He cashed as a dog in recent fights against former champs Robert Whittaker, Strickland and Adesanya. The co-main event features another undefeated fighter in Lerone Murphy, who puts his 16-0-1 record on the line in a featherweight bout against Aaron Pico. Highly regarded in the Professional Fighters League and Bellator, Pico makes his UFC debut as a moderate -185 favorite with Murphy boasting +149 opening odds. With early odds of -335 Chase Hooper is the biggest favorite on the fight card in his lightweight matchup with Alexander Hernandez (+257). Based on the odds we could see some close bouts the entire night.

UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev Previews

Middleweight Bout

C Dricus Du Plessis (+180) vs. #3 Khamzat Chimaev (-225)

With both fighters defeating top contenders in the division this fight was destined to take place and neither has experienced defeat inside the Octagon. Winning 14 of 16 bouts and titles in two different promotions before joining the UFC, Du Plessis charged up the rankings winning five of his first six fights by stoppage, including a TKO of Robert Whittaker in a title eliminator fight in July 2023. There may have been some question as to his status as a top middleweight before his recent stretch, but his dominance over former champs reinforces his place as the best middleweight not only in UFC but maybe the world.

Undefeated in 14 career fights, including the last eight in the UFC, Chimaev was projected to be a champion from early in his career. He burst onto the UFC scene with two wins in a span of 10 days and a third victory two months later. He’s been slowed recently with only two fights in the last three years, but Chimaev finally earned a championship fight with a destructive first round submission of Robert Whittaker last October, putting to rest any doubts about his health or whether he could hang with the top fighters in the world.

Featherweight Bout

#6 Lerone Murphy (+149) vs. NR Aaron Pico (-185)

Stepping into the Octagon for the first time can be overwhelming, but don’t expect Pico, the veteran of 17 fights with the Bellator promotion, will not be fazed. His UFC debut was a long time coming with two fights against undefeated contender Movsar Evoloev scrapped. It’s been 18 months since Pico last fought, beating Henry Corrales with a first round TKO in the PFL vs. Bellator series. Pico is 9-1 in his last 10 fights with the setback a result of injury. With 16 wins and a draw in 17 career fights, Murphy is the more established fighter, but he’s still looking to make his mark in the division. His last seven wins have all been by decision showing stamina to go the distance and the ability to take a hit. A win in this fight would go a long way toward establishing his presence as a title hopeful.

UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev Prime Picks

With the main event being one of the most highly anticipated fights of the year there should be plenty of action, both inside the Octagon and at the betting window. Chimaev has been seen as a threat to the title since before his improbable UFC start when he won two fights in the span of 10 days. Du Plessis has seemingly gotten better with each fight. With his unique fighting style Du Plessis constantly pressures his opponents with relentless attacks, something Chimaev can replicate in sparring sessions but not really prepare for. Pico has plenty of pent up aggression and will release that in the co-main event triumph over Murphy.