International Fight Week has ended, but the most anticipated fight of the year is still on the horizon. The UFC has scheduled four pay-per-view events with only a few at the UFC Apex without an audience. The promotion recently celebrated champions at UFC 316 and UFC 317, including Iliatopria becoming a two-division champion after a stunning knockout of Charles Oliveira. Both Topuria and Oliveira are prominent fighters, but in 2025, UFC 319 promises an even bigger showdown featuring two undefeated contenders.
In the middleweight division this August, UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis is ready to defend his title for the third time against the formidable Chechen fighter Khamzat Chimaev in Chicago on August 16th. Both fighters bring impressive winning streaks into this bout—Chimaev boasts a 14-0 professional record with wins over former champions Kamaru Usman and Robert Whittaker, while Du Plessis remains undefeated with an 11-fight winning run, including a notable victory over Whittaker and handing Israel Adesanya his first loss at middleweight.
The official poster for the fight echoes the design of the iconic UFC 229 poster featuring Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor, sparking excitement among fans, some calling it the best fight of the year. The matchup is a clash of styles, with Chimaev’s dominant grappling and relentless pressure going up against Du Plessis’ unique and effective striking and unorthodox approach. Fighters who know both combatants are split in their predictions, with some favoring Chimaev’s grappling and others believing in Du Plessis’ versatility to hand Chimaev his first defeat.
Fan Take: This fight is a thrilling showdown that could define the middleweight division for years to come, blending skill, will, and unbeaten streaks into an epic battle. It matters because it has the potential to usher in a new era of dominance, setting a fresh standard for excellence in UFC history.
