- Khamzat Chimaev is favored to take the middleweight belt from Dricus Du Plessis on Saturday night at UFC 319.
- Du Plessis has successfully defended the belt twice thus far. This is Chimaev’s first shot at a UFC title.
CHICAGO – UFC 319 comes to the United Center on Saturday, August 16th as Dricus Du Plessis puts his middleweight championship belt on the line against Khamzat Chimaev, one of the best up-and-coming fighters in the UFC.
Du Plessis vs Chimaev Fight Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Rounds (Over/Under) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dricus Du Plessis | +5.5 (+120) | +200 | O 2.5 (EVEN) |
| Khamzat Chimaev | -5.5 (-155) | -240 | U 2.5 (-130) |
Legal sports betting sites favor Khamzat Chimaev to claim the middleweight title from Du Plessis, who has held the title since defeating Sean Strickland in January of 2024.
Du Plessis has gone 23-2-0 in his professional career while Chimaev has gone 14-0-0 and both fighters are undefeated since entering the UFC.
Method of Victory
Both fighters have won by KO/TKO, submission, and decision over their tenures in the UFC, but the most likely outcome according to UFC betting sites is Chimaev by submission, which sits at +155 odds.
Chimaev by KO/TKO (+400) or decision (+450) also have shorter odds than Du Plessis’ most likely method of victory, which is by KO/TKO (+500).
When Will The Fight End
- Round 1 +200
- Round 2 +325
- Round 3 +600
- Round 4 +1000
- Round 5 +1600
- By Decision +250
The most likely outcome according to the odds is a Round 1 finish, followed by a decision at +250.
Five of Khamzat Chimaev’s eight UFC appearances ended in the first round, while Du Plessis has recorded just one first round victory.
Additionally, Du Plessis’ two pro defeats in 2019 and 2014 came in the third round. The likelihood of a stoppage in the first two rounds seems unlikely.
However, Du Plessis’ championship experience may play a big role in this fight, as each of his last three fights have gone into the championship rounds (4-5), whereas Chimaev has never had a fight past the third round in the UFC.
Taking a shot on Du Plessis to win in Round 4, 5, or by decision at +420 odds could end up paying dividends.
