For years considered a future title hopeful in the UFC, Khamzat Chimaev gets his shot on Gold on UFC 319 this Saturday, where he takes on the middleweight Champion Dric Du Plessis.
The rise from Chimaev to the top was delayed by illness, injury and inactivity, as a result of which the “Stillnocks” of South Africa, who came to the promotion months after him, claiming gold in January 2024. Since then he has defended the belt twice, against Israel Adesanya and the man from whom he originally won, Sean Strickland.
Khamzat, however, is the man who see many as the most difficult test for the ruling champion. The division is wide open, with many title candidates, including Anthony Hernandez, Reinier de Ridder and the winner of the upcoming Caio Borralho vs. Nassourdine Imavov. But the rapid rise of Chimaev, and his dominant victories, especially early in his UFC -Run, are preferred to Champ du Plessis.
In the meantime, Aaron Pico is finally making his UFC debut in the Co-Main event on Saturday. Originally booked against Movsar Evloev, the former Bellator star is now confronted with undefeated featherweight striking Lerone Murphy.
Our choices stand for UFC 319 in Chicago – that’s how we see the PPV card playing out!
Our team is very aligned on the first two fights of the UFC 319 head card, such as Kai Asakura and Michael “Venom” Page are unanimous choices in their fights against Tim Elliott and Jared Cannonier. Carlos Prates is also a very tough favorite with our crew, because but one after all the writer responds to him better from Geoff Neal.
Things are a bit closer in the co-main and the most important events, but not much. Aaron Pico is preferred to win his debut against Lerone Murphy, with a 5-2 lead, while Dricus du Plessis sees the same margin in his fight with Khamzat Chimaev.
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