UFC Fight 319: Odds, Picks, Forecasts, and Top Wagers for Chimaev versus Du Plessis
In the main event of UFC 319, Khamzat Chimaev captured the UFC middleweight title with an emphatic and record-setting performance against Dricus Du Plessis.
Chimaev, a physically imposing and aggressive fighter, dominated Du Plessis for over 21 minutes, setting a UFC record for total strikes landed in a fight with 510 to Du Plessis' 56. Despite Du Plessis showing toughness and never being finished, he offered little effective resistance against Chimaev's overwhelming pressure and striking volume.
Leading up to the fight, Du Plessis was considered a skilled and well-prepared champion, known for precise game planning, while Chimaev was regarded as a technical underdog, having faced setbacks from health issues.
Five matchups at UFC 319 involved fighters at 170 pounds or heavier. In one of these bouts, Carlos Prates, ranked No. 12 in the welterweight division, a BJJ black belt from Brazil, faced Geoff Neal, ranked No. 11, a BJJ purple belt from Texas. Both men are expected to trade bombs in a stand-up war, with Prates' diverse striking potentially neutralizing Neal's power.
Edson Barboza, returning to his original UFC division of lightweight, faced Drakkar Klose, who entered the bout off a loss to Joel Alvarez after a four-fight win streak. Both Barboza and Klose are lethal strikers, with Klose having heavy hands and a direct approach, and Barboza having a diverse arsenal including leg-kicking prowess. The matchup between these two is expected to last beyond 7:30 due to their durability and skill.
Two bouts at UFC 319 pit fighters aged 37 or older against each other.
In the main event, Du Plessis planned to counter Chimaev's aggressive style by bullying him with relentless forward pressure. If the fight goes into the third round, Du Plessis' size, strength, and experience could drain Chimaev's energy.
UFC 319 took place on an unspecified Saturday in 2025 and featured 13 scheduled bouts. Both Carlos Prates and Geoff Neal have previously lost to Ian Machado Garry. Prates is an ultra-aggressive striker with knockout power and advantages in height, reach, youth, and speed, while Neal is a powerful striker known for his compact power and mobility.
In the earlier rounds, Chimaev's aggressive, smothering style was effective, but showed signs of fatigue against smaller opponents. Du Plessis, a second-degree black belt in kickboxing and known for his unconventional, awkward fighting style, aimed to capitalize on these moments.
UFC 319 was a night of exciting matchups and record-setting performances, with Chimaev's dominance of Du Plessis being the highlight of the evening.
In the midst of UFC 319, factors such as size, skill, and experience clashed in the mixed-martial-arts octagon, particularly in the main event where Khamzat Chimaev, dancing with the odds as a technical underdog, confronted the well-prepared champion Dricus Du Plessis.
In the welterweight division, the matchup between Carlos Prates and Geoff Neal showcased a battle of striking, as both fighters were expected to trade bombs, a scene similar to a stand-up war, with Prates' diverse striking potentially neutralizing Neal's power, reminiscent of the sports' dynamic duels.
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