UFC 319 Headline Festival Main Event Wagers, Forecasts, and Estimates: Du Plessis versus Chimaev
At UFC 319 on August 16, 2025, reigning undisputed middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis defended his title against top contender Khamzat Chimaev in a highly anticipated main event held at the United Center in Chicago.
The betting odds leading into the fight showed Khamzat Chimaev as the favourite, with odds roughly between -210 and -270, while Du Plessis was the underdog with odds around +170 to +220. This reflected Chimaev’s undefeated record and dominant performances.
Dricus Du Plessis, a 31-year-old South African, entered the fight with a professional record of 23-2. He had a balanced finishing ability with 9 KOs and 11 submissions, and had a nine-fight win streak going into UFC 319, tied for the third-longest in UFC middleweight history.
Khamzat Chimaev, also 31, entered the UFC undefeated at 14-0, known for his wrestling background (24-0 in freestyle wrestling) and finishing power (6 KOs, 6 submissions). His quick turnaround wins and dominant takedown ability made him a formidable challenger.
The fight was a classic clash between the reigning champion with a well-rounded finish and a dominant undefeated challenger with elite wrestling. Chimaev landed 12 takedowns, marking one of the most takedowns in a UFC middleweight title fight since 2015, demonstrating his dominant wrestling and control during the fight.
Despite the odds, Du Plessis managed to secure a victory, marking a significant upset in the UFC. The event also featured notable debuts and bouts, but the Du Plessis vs. Chimaev title fight was the highlight with heavy betting interest due to the fighters' records and styles.
This UFC 319 matchup showed that even with a strong favourite, underdogs can still emerge victorious, making for an exciting and unpredictable fight night.
References
- ESPN
- SportsBetting
- BetOnline
- MMAJunkie
- MMAFighting
Sports analysts widely discussed Dricus Du Plessis' historic UFC 319 victory against Khamzat Chimaev, defying the odds in a mixed-martial-arts event heavily focused on betting. The underdog Du Plessis, despite being priced as an underdog, demonstrated his well-rounded skills and ultimately secured the win, leaving a lasting impression on the UFC community. (ESPN, SportsBetting, BetOnline, MMAJunkie, MMAFighting)
Furthermore, the UFC 319 main event can be considered a testament to the unpredictability of mixed-martial-arts fights, as even the strongest favourites may face unexpected outcomes. The highly anticipated duel between the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev and the accomplished Dricus Du Plessis proved to be a nail-biting spectacle, drawing significant attention on pay-per-view. (MMAFighting, ESPN)
