UFC 319 is headlined by Du Plessis vs. Chimaev in the Middleweight Title bout on Saturday, August 16, alongside a stacked card with household names and UFC fan favorites.
Click here to go straight to our UFC 319 predictions and expert picks for every main card fight, including our Du Plessis vs. Chimaev prediction, PrizePicks UFC picks and start times for Saturday’s fights from the United Center in Chicago, Ill.
UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev Preview
From longtime UFC fighters like Geoff Neal, Jared Cannonier, and King Green, to rising stars Lerone Murphy, Carlos Prates, and Kai Asakura, the UFC 319 card is laced with thrilling styles and personality from top to bottom.
The pinnacle of both stylistic fighting and superstar personalities is featured in the UFC 319 main event. Long-awaited challenger Khamzat Chimaev takes on Middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis, who is unique both in style and persona.
Co-headlining UFC 319 is another electric matchup, where rising challenger Lerone Murphy will test UFC newcomer Aaron Pico in a title eliminator.
The UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev main card is set to start at 10 p.m. ET, with Du Plessis vs. Chimaev expected to start around 12 a.m. ET, depending on when the other fights end.
We'll break down who’s fighting in UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev, including our staff picks and PrizePicks predictions for the main card.
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Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev Prediction & Preview
Known for his awkward style and equally interesting personality, Dricus Du Plessis (23-2) is a puzzle yet to be solved in the UFC. Since his arrival in 2020, Du Plessis is yet to be bested.
His versatility on both the ground and feet combined with a “wildcard” factor has led to dominant victories against division legends like Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya. Du Plessis can fight from anywhere, but most of his competition has been dominant strikers thus far, and Khamzat Chimaev (14-0) is billed as the opposite.
Chimaev came flying out of the gates the first year of his UFC career in 2020, with three dominant finishes in just two months' time. However, Chimaev is long removed from his days of activity.
Constant health and weight issues plagued recent years of Chimaev’s career, and less dominant bouts against smaller opponents has called into question the potential of Chimaev as a champion. 2022 and 2023 were not the most impressive for Chimaev despite not seeing any losses, but his confidence has rebounded after a brutal submission win over Robert Whittaker.
Many fans believe this fight will be determined not by technical skill or talent, but rather by what version of Khamzat Chimaev shows up this Saturday.
Du Plessis vs. Chimaev Prediction & Picks
Find the top Du Plessis vs. Chimaev predictions for UFC 319 on the PrizePicks MMA board below from Playbook’s UFC staff writers — Ryelan Jones and Garrett Kerman.
Ryelan’s Prediction: Chimaev 3.5 Takedowns
- Chimaev averages 4.31 Takedowns per 15 minutes.
- Chimaev had 4 Takedowns against Kamaru Usman.
- Du Plessis has 50% Takedown Defense.
- Du Plessis has not been taken down in 3 fights.
Garrett’s Prediction: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev – 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.
- Chimaev’s most recent win ended in just 3:34 against Robert Whittaker.
- Find Garrett’s full Du Plessis vs. Chimaev analysis for UFC 319 here.
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Lerone Murphy vs. Aaron Pico Prediction & Preview
Lerone Murphy (16-0) has had a long journey to UFC prominence. Despite having one of the more impressive records in the UFC, his lack of activity combined with his tendency to see the judges, has caused fans and matchmakers overlook his potential as a fighter.
Now 34, Murphy may be closing on his window to become a contender.
A win this Saturday could keep Murphy in the conversation for a future title fight, and a finish could win over the fans that seem to ignore his otherwise impressive record.
Yet another ex-Bellator fighter, Aaron Pico (13-4) will be coming back from over a year of inactivity for his matchup with Lerone Murphy. Layoff concerns aside, Pico is the younger, more experienced, and more explosive fighter. Despite struggles from other Bellator transfers, UFC communities have confidence that Aaron Pico might change the trend. With 2 impressive 1st Round finishes in his last 2 fights, he is poised for another highlight in his UFC debut.
Murphy vs. Pico Prediction & Picks
Find the top Murphy vs. Pico predictions for UFC 319 on the PrizePicks MMA board below from Playbook’s UFC staff writers — Ryelan Jones and Garrett Kerman.
Ryelan’s Prediction: 103.5 Significant Strikes (Combined)
- Murphy has gone to decision in his last 6 fights.
- Murphy lands 4.53 Significant Strikes per minute.
- Pico was a PAL Boxing Champion.
- Pico has 9 wins by KO/TKO.
Garrett’s Prediction: Lerone Murphy – 55.5 Significant Strikes
- Murphy’s average fight time is 14:57.
- Murphy lands 4.53 significant strikes per minute.
- Murphy throws 8.39 significant strikes per minute.
- Murphy has a striking accuracy of 54%.
- Murphy has landed 508 strikes (101.6 per fight) in his last five fights.
- Find Garrett Kerman’s full Murphy vs. Pico analysis for UFC 319 here.
Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates Prediction & Preview
Longtime UFC fighter Geoff Neal (16-6) is returning to the octagon for the first time since his impressive win against Rafael dos Anjos last year. Despite being in the UFC since 2018, Neal has less professional experience than his opponent.
Neal can compete with the best of the best, and has done so since 2019. However, a win on Saturday could spell another chance at a top five opponent, which is the barrier that has yet to break in Neal’s impressive career.
Despite being a newer UFC Fighter, debuting last year, Carlos Prates (21-7) has already made a name for himself. While some give credit to the hype behind his gym, “The Fighting Nerds”, his 3 KO wins in 2024 speak for themselves.
Earlier this year a loss to Ian Garry ended The Fighting Nerds undefeated streak in the UFC, so Prates will look not only to earn a statement win for himself, but for his team.
Neal vs. Prates Prediction: 10.75 Minutes Fight Time
- Both UFC staff writers — Ryelan and Garrett — chose this pick.
- Prates average Fight Time is 9:49.
- Neal average Fight Time is 10:14.
- Both fighters have 80% or higher Takedown Defense.
- Prates has a 90% Finish Rate.
- Prates has seen a third round only once in his UFC career.
- Neal and Prates combine for 14 first-round finishes.
- Find more Neal vs. Prates fight analysis for UFC 319 here.
Jared Cannonier vs. Michael Page Prediction & Preview
Jared Cannonier (18-8) has a style that is not limited by age, so don’t let the 41-year-old tag next to his name fool you. There are little signs of slowing down for Cannonier.
An impressive finish over Gregory Rodrigues early this year confirmed that he still possesses the toolset to compete at the top of the division. While many fighters age and lose back-to-back bouts like Cannonier did in 2024, typically signaling the end of a fighter’s career, Cannonier instead returned looking even better in 2025. A test against Michael “Venom” Page (23-3) could prove he is still amongst the best.
Many fans believed Page would be an easy puzzle for UFC fighters to solve after his debut coming from a notable career in Bellator, but his unorthodox style has proven difficult even amongst the world's best.
Venom’s sole loss is to Ian Garry, but even in that bout, he made Garry uncomfortable and he had to fight in a different style.
Despite how impressive Page has looked, Cannonier possesses both size and power that MVP has yet to experience in the UFC. Page will look to avoid the power and outmaneuver Cannonier to a victory.
Cannonier vs. Page Prediction & Picks
Find the top Cannonier vs. Page predictions for UFC 319 on the PrizePicks MMA board below from Playbook’s UFC staff writers — Ryelan Jones and Garrett Kerman.
Ryelan’s Prediction:Jared Cannonier — 14.5 Rd 1 Significant Strikes
- Page has 64% Takedown Defense.
- Cannonier landed 30+ Rd 1 Significant Strikes in 2 of his last 3 bouts.
- Cannonier lands 4.60 Significant Strikes per minute.
- Page has 55% Significant Strike Defense.
Garrett’s Prediction: Jared Cannonier – 36.5 Significant Strikes
- Michael Venom Page absorbs just 1.78 significant strikes per minute
- Fighters against Michael Venom Page have combined for 86 significant strikes against him (28.7 per fight)
- Michael Venom Page outstrikes his opponents by 17%
- This is Cannonier’s first three-round fight in over three years
- Cannonier lands 4.60 significant strikes per minute
- Cannonier has a striking accuracy of 50%
Tim Elliott vs. Kai Asakura Prediction & Preview
Another longtime UFC veteran Tim Elliott (21-13-1) has been fighting in the UFC since 2012. Despite his age, the submission artist remains ranked in his division. Elliott is coming off of a long break, with his last fight being a submission victory in December 2023.
This Saturday, Elliott will look to get this fight to the ground and add yet another submission victory to the record. However, age and a long gap between fights might prove detrimental to his success and his days of gatekeeping could soon be numbered.
Kai Asakura (21-5) was thrown into the fire more than almost any fighter in UFC history. His debut matchup against all-time great and division champion Alexandre Pantoja may have been too tall a task for the UFC rookie.
Now, the UFC has decided to give him a more realistic matchup in his second outing. In this matchup, Asakura will try to show what he can do against fighters who aren’t named Pantoja, and finally put on display his potential as a UFC fighter.
Elliott vs. Asakura Prediction & Picks
Find the top Elliott vs. Asakura predictions for UFC 319 on the PrizePicks MMA board below from Playbook’s UFC staff writers — Ryelan Jones and Garrett Kerman.
Ryelan’s Prediction: Tim Elliott – 1.5 Takedowns
- Elliott averages 3.73 Takedowns per 15 minutes.
- Elliott landed 6 Takedowns in his last decision victory.
- Asakura has 57% Takedown defense.
- Asakura was taken down 3 times against Pantoja.
Garrett’s Prediction: Tim Elliott – 39.5 Significant Strikes
- Elliott lands 3.39 significant strikes per minute.
- Elliott throws 7.70 significant strikes per minute.
- Elliott has a striking accuracy of 44%.
- Elliott combined for 68 significant strikes landed in his last three fights.
UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev – Start Times & Projections:
UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev will start at 10 p.m. ET with the main card on Saturday, August 16, while the Du Plessis vs. Chimaev main event is expected to start around 12 a.m. ET — subject to change based on other fights before it.
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UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev projections below are from the PrizePicks MMA board.
Here’s the UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev main card schedule, in reverse order.
Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev – Main Event
- Middleweight Title Fight
- Expected start time: 12 a.m. ET
- Du Plessis Projections: 50.5 Significant Strikes, 20.5 Rd 1 Significant Strikes
- Chimaev Projections: 54.5 Significant Strikes, 19.5 Rd 1 Significant Strikes, 77.55 Fantasy Score, 3.5 Takedowns
- Significant Strikes (Combo): 115.5
- Fight Time Projection: 12.25 Minutes
Lerone Murphy vs. Aaron Pico – Co-Main Event
- Featherweight
- Expected start time: 11:30 p.m. ET
- Murphy Projections: 54.5 Significant Strikes, 18.5 Rd 1 Significant Strikes
- Pico Projections: 48.5 Significant Strikes, 15.5 Rd 1 Significant Strikes, 55.55 Fantasy Score, 2.5 Takedowns
- Significant Strikes (Combo): 104.5
Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates
- Welterweight
- Expected start time: 11 p.m. ET
- Neal Projections: 44.5 Significant Strikes, 20.5 Rd 1 Significant Strikes
- Prates Projections: 45.5 Significant Strikes, 20.5 Rd 1 Significant Strikes, 61.55 Fantasy Score
- Significant Strikes (Combo): 89.5
- Fight Time Projection: 10.75 Minutes
Jared Cannonier vs. Michael Page
- Middleweight
- Expected start time: 10:30 p.m. ET
- Cannonier Projections: 43.5 Significant Strikes, 14.5 Rd 1 Significant Strikes
- Page Projections: 53.5 Significant Strikes, 18.5 Rd 1 Significant Strikes, 42.55 Fantasy Score
- Significant Strikes (Combo): 96.5
Tim Elliott vs. Kai Asakura
- Flyweight
- Expected start time: 10 p.m. ET
- Elliott Projections: 39.5 Significant Strikes, 2.5 Takedowns
- Asakura Projections: 46.5 Significant Strikes
- Significant Strikes (Combo): 86.5 Significant Strikes
Make UFC 319 Predictions Tonight on PrizePicks
UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev is set to bring us another star-studded Saturday night of great UFC fights, including a historic title fight. The main card will start around 10 p.m. ET.
Before it does, lock in your UFC predictions on PrizePicks in seconds — it’s the easiest way to win real money on UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev.
With a card of long-time UFC names and upcoming stars, this card should provide exciting fights top-to-bottom and could be one of the best of the year.
Tune in to UFC 319 to discover the future of fan favorite fighters and witness scraps that will change the landscape of multiple divisions — live from the United Center in Chicago, Ill.
Head to the PrizePicks app, pick More or Less on two or more fighters in UFC 319, lock in your picks, and get ready for the sweat during UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev.
