The headline fight of UFC 319 will see Dricus Du Plessis defend his UFC Middleweight Championship against Khamzat Chimaev in Chicago, at the United Center. The fight will be the 14th of the card, with the action beginning from 08:00 AEST on Sunday.
It’s a mega showdown between two accomplished fighters in the Octagon, adding to the overall appeal that this fight carries. Bettors will certainly be able to find some value in this contest, and Sportsbet has you covered…
Dricus Du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev: Tale of the Tape
Are there any notable angles that can be identified between the two fighters when we look at the tale of the tape? Du Plessis’s figures are first…
Age - 31 vs 31
Height - 6'1" (185cm) vs 6'2" (188cm)
Weight - 185.0 lbs (83.9 kgs) vs 186.0 lbs (84.4 kgs)
Reach - 76.0" (193cm) vs 75.0" (191cm)
Stance - Switch vs Orthodox
Record - 23-2-0 vs 14-0-0
Dricus Du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev: Betting Preview
Both fighters are among the best in the world at the middleweight level, making this a hugely anticipated fight. Du Plessis is ranked 1 as the current title holder, but Chimaev’s dominance in the UFC has elevated him to number 2. Indeed, his unbeaten record makes him a legitimate threat, as the South African makes his third title defence.
How have the pair fared in their last five fights?
Du Plessis’s Last Five Opponents:
Sean Strickland - Win (UD, 5) - Feb 2025
Israel Adesanya - Win (Sub, 4) - Aug 2024
Sean Strickland - Win (SD, 5) - Jan 2024
Robert Whittaker - Win (TKO, 2) - Jul 2023
Derek Brunson - Win (TKO, 2) - Mar 2023
Chimaev’s Last Five Opponents:
Robert Whittaker - Win (Sub, 1) - Oct 2024
Kamaru Usman - Win (MD, 3) - Oct 2023
Kevin Holland - Win (Sub, 1) - Sep 2022
Gilbert Burns - Win (UD, 3) - Apr 2022
Jingliang Li - Win (Sub, 1) - Oct 2021
Dricus Du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev: Betting Predictions
Could we have a new UFC middleweight champion on Sunday? The latest Dricus Du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev betting odds appear to favour that possibility happening.
The fight is unlikely to go the distance, as each of the last four UFC title fights hasn’t. At the same time, both are proven finishers with high aggression. A value bet could be in the ‘How will the fight end’ betting market, with ‘Submission’ offering good value.
Du Plessis could be considered a good value bet to win as the underdog if he manages to drag the fight out, as his pace and durability become major factors. However, Chimaev likes to start fast with explosive power and catch opponents off guard.
It’s going to be an exceptional fight. For some, it will come down to the following: Chimaev must finish early, Du Plessis must survive and test Chimaev’s cardio.