The fight of the year is finally among us, as Du Plessis vs. Chimaev for the UFC Middleweight Championship takes center stage at UFC 319 on Saturday, August 16. Once this fight was announced, all UFC fans circled this on their calendars.
The undefeated Chechnyan fighter Khamzat Chimaev finally gets his long-awaited title shot against the South African Dricus Du Plessis, who will be looking to defy the odds yet again.
This is one fight you will not want to blink during — because it could be over quickly.
We'll breakdown the best Du Plessis vs. Chimaev prediction for UFC 319 below, including PrizePicks UFC picks for this historic Middleweight title fight.
With 17 combined first-round finishes between these two, there should be no feeling-out process in the early going of this five-round fight. This fight will essentially be a car crash and will have fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
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Du Plessis vs. Chimaev Stats & Start Time
The UFC heads to Chicago for the highly-anticipated fight with the UFC Middleweight Championship on the line between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev. Find the Du Plessis vs. Chimaev start time, how to watch, and key stats below.
How To Watch Du Plessis vs. Chimaev
- Dricus Du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev
- Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
- Time: 10 p.m. ET Main Card start, Du Plessis vs. Chimaev: around 12 p.m. ET
- Location: United Center, Chicago, Illi.
- TV: ESPN+ PPV
Dricus Du Plessis Stats
- Overall Record: 23-2
- UFC Record: 9-0
- Last 5 Fights: 5-0
- Height: 6’1”
- Reach: 76”
- Significant Strikes Landed Per Minute: 6.12
- Takedowns Landed Per 15 Minutes: 2.55
- Last Fight: Win vs. Sean Strickland - Decision
- Finishes: 20 (9 KO/TKO/11 SUB)
Khamzat Chimaev Stats
- Overall Record: 14-0
- UFC Record: 8-0
- Last 5 Fights: 5-0
- Height: 6’2”
- Reach: 75”
- Significant Strikes Landed Per Minute: 5.36
- Takedowns Landed Per 15 Minutes: 4.31
- Last Fight: Win vs. Robert Whittaker - Submission (R1)
- Finishes: 12 (6 KO/TKO/6 SUB)
Du Plessis vs. Chimaev Prediction for UFC 319
Styles make fights, and this Middleweight title fight has the makings of being the fight of the year. Neither Du Plessis nor Chimaev will back down and will meet head-on in the center of the octagon. However, only one will be able to impose their will on the other, as Bruce Buffer yells “AND…STILL” or “AND…NEW”.
Chimaev is a fighter who starts extremely fast — so fast that no opponent has gone a full minute standing before he takes them down. Even the very skilled wrestler Kamaru Usman only lasted 30 seconds on his feet until he was taken down by Chimaev.
Du Plessis is going to need to bring out his best sprawl-and-brawl game to keep this fight on his feet, where he is going to have the advantage.
We also have seen Chimaev fade the longer fights go, and this is a five-round fight. If Du Plessis can drag him into deep waters, there is that possibility of a late finish.
This five-round main event looks as binary as one can possibly be on paper.
If Chimaev can impose his will on Du Plessis early, landing his takedowns and suffocating him with his top pressure, an early finish is within sight.
However, if Du Plessis can fend off the takedowns or at least work his way back to his feet, making Chimaev work early, he can pull away late with his pace and pressure.
These two championship-caliber middleweights are certainly going to lay it all on the line and look to man the top of the UFC Middleweight division for a while after a win at UFC 319.
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Du Plessis vs. Chimaev Prediction – 12.25 Minutes Fight Time
- Chimaev’s average fight time is 6:05
- Only two of his UFC fights have gone 15 minutes
- Chimaev has 9 first-round finishes, with 5 of those coming in the UFC in just 8 fights
- Chimaev’s most recent win ended in just 3:34 against Robert Whittaker
Make Du Plessis vs. Chimaev Predictions on PrizePicks
UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev is set for Saturday night, live on ESPN+ PPV from the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The UFC 319 card has something for every fight fan from top to bottom, whether you are a casual or a hardcore fan.
It all culminates in the Du Plessis vs. Chimaev title fight.
You can win real money by locking in your UFC predictions on PrizePicks — from the first fight of the night all the way to this long-awaited title fight.
Just go to the PrizePicks MMA board, pick two or more UFC fighter projections — or pick from other sports, lock in your Lineup, and cash in if your picks are on point.
