When is the next fight by Khamzat Chimaev?

The next fight by Khamzat Chimaev: unbeaten mixed martial artist Khamzat Chimaev will challenge UFC 319 in Chicago Middleweight Champion Dric Du Plessis for the UFC title. The event takes place in the United Center and marks Chimaev’s first fight of 2025.

The next fight by Khamzat Chimaev

The championship match serves as the most important event of UFC 319With the main map planned to start at 10 p.m. Chimaev goes into the fight when the gambling favorite at -220, while du plessis +180 has opportunities. Both fighters are 31 years old and bring unbeaten records to their recent UFC campaigns.

Chimaev’s path to the title shot

Chimaev earned his title after a dominant victory in the first round at the former champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 in October 2024. The Russian hunter brought a face crank that forced Whittaker to tap at 3:34 of the first round, with reports that indicate that the entry caused damage to the jaw of Whittaker.

The victory extended Chimaev’s perfect professional record until 14-0, with its UFC marking on 8-0. His UFC career has been remarkable because of its efficiency, with six of his eight Octagon victories that end in the first round. Chimaev has four version of the night bonuses and has collected only 48 minutes and 41 seconds total fighting time during his eight UFC performances.

Championship context

You plessis The middleweight title of Sean Strickland on UFC 297 recorded in January 2024 and has successfully defended it twice. His deficiency defense came against Israel Adesanya on UFC 305, where he became the first hunter to submit the former champion and a Rematch win in Strickland on UFC 312.

The South African champion represents the 15th person who has the UFC Middleweight title in the history of the division. A victory about Chimaev Du Plessis would only make the fourth middleweight champion to reach three title defenses and join Anderson Silva, Israel Adesanya and Chris Weidman.

Vecht card and temporary employment information

The UFC 319 main map is available on ESPN+ Pay-per-View, with provisional fights that are broadcast on ESPN. The Co-Main event contains featherweight contenders Lerone Murphy and Aaron Pico, where Pico makes its UFC debut.

Extra main card fights are Geoff Neal versus Carlos Prates at Welterweight, Jared Cannonier against Michael Page in the middleweight and Tim Elliott opposite Kai Asakura in flight weight. The event marks the eighth visit of the UFC to Chicago and only since UFC 238 in June 2019.

UFC 319

For Chimaev, the fight represents the highlight of his rapid turnout since he joined the UFC in July 2020. The Jager born in Russia has consistently asked for title chances and after his Whittaker victory explains that “all the champions of him run” of him.

Du Plessis goes into the fight and tries to settle among the elite champions of the division. His rise from prospect to champion was fast, with his first UFC title shot just over three years after his promotion debut. The champion has shown sustainability and well -completed skills in his title government, in which former champions and top candidates are defeated.