UFC 319 Picks, Du Plessis vs Chimaev Best Bets

What: UFC 319
Who: Dricus Du Plessis (c) vs Khamzat Chimaev for the UFC middleweight title; Lerone Murphy vs Aaron Pico, featherweights
The place: United Heart, Chicago, Illinois
When: Saturday, August 16, 10 p.m. EDT
Watch: ESPN+

Heading into UFC 319, Dricus Du Plessis is the UFC middleweight champion. Nonetheless, as he squares off with Khamzat Chimaev to defend his title in the primary occasion on this card, he isn’t the favourite to go away the octagon along with his belt.

It is Chimaev, his unbeaten Russian challenger, who oddsmakers are setting because the -220 favourite within the UFC betting strains. You may get +180 underdog odds in the event you choose to again the champion on this betting market.

Let’s take a look at the newest betting strains. Odds are topic to vary.

Chimaev is 7-0 since shifting to the UFC. He’s the UFC’s No. 3-ranked middleweight contender. Du Plessis is 9-0 since becoming a member of the UFC.

On this article, OSB shall be going over every fighter, providing a predicted winner in each matchups, and likewise offering some extra notes and data relating to UFC 319 picks and UFC betting.

UFC 319 Overview: Dricus Du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev

Fighter Highlight: Dricus Du Plessis

The primary South African to win a UFC world title belt, Du Plessis (23-2) is rated No. 4 in UFC pound-for-pound rankings. He is efficiently defended his title twice since first profitable the belt in January 2024 at UFC 279.

ITS FIGHT WEEK! #UFC319 pic.twitter.com/Z8T2pvRNXC

— Dricus Du Plessis (@dricusduplessis) August 11, 2025

His resume of victories reads like a who’s-who of the middleweight division. He is crushed Sean Strickland (twice), Israel Adesanya, Derek Brunson, Robert Whittaker, and Darren Until.

Fighter Highlight: Khamzat Chimaev

Initially born in Chechnya, Chimaev (14-0) is located at 14th general within the UFC pound-for-pound rankings. Nonetheless, accidents, sickness, and incapability to make weight have all performed a task in slowing his climb up the ladder to get his title shot.

One of many 0’s has obtained to go 😤

Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev will each head in to #UFC319 with undefeated information within the UFC 🔥

Who’s your choose to win? #UFC319 pic.twitter.com/ddSRYv4UCo

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 10, 2025

Six of his wins have come by way of knockout. He has recorded wins over Whittaker, Gilbert Burns, Kevin Holland, and Kamaru Usman.

Prediction: Individuals like to depend out the South African champion, and it is not tough to decipher why that’s so. Watching Du Plessis battle generally seems like watching Napoleon Dynamite play tetherball. It is unorthodox, at instances seemingly unathletic, and even now and again, uncoordinated. And but, nobody can query that it really works. His outcomes are like Napoleon Dynamite dancing – efficient, spectacular, and startling in its success.

Dricus Du Plessis
To win at UFC 319

+220

Whereas it’s true Chimaev has but to style defeat within the octagon, it is also smart to needless to say he is additionally by no means been requested earlier than to go the complete 5 rounds contained in the cage. Even in his three-round fights, Chimaev has proven indicators of fatigue as these bouts neared an finish. Search for that quirky preventing model of Du Plessis to maintain his Russian opponent off-balance. Then Du Plessis will resolve the battle in his favor within the so-called championship rounds, 4 and 5.

UFC 319 Overview: Aaron Pico vs Lerone Murphy

Fighter Highlight: Aaron Pico

Signed from Bellator, Pico (13-4) is within the prime of his profession on the age of 28 as he makes his UFC debut on this bout. His background is in wrestling. The American was chosen as an Olympic alternate in 2016. Pico gained the under-17 world championship in 2013.

He is 9-1 over his final 10 fights. Solely two of these bouts have gone the space.

Fighter Highlight: Lerone Murphy

Murphy, 34, is the sixth-ranked contender within the UFC featherweight division. He is 16-0-1 in his profession, and 8-0-1 since becoming a member of the UFC. Using an eight-fight win streak, Murphy continues to be looking for his first title shot. He is one in all simply seven ranked UFC contenders who’ve but to style defeat.

In his most up-to-date battle, the Englishman defeated former interim UFC Featherweight Championship challenger Josh Emmett by unanimous resolution. Emmett is the No. 8 contender within the UFC featherweight division. Murphy additionally has a win over Dave Ige, 14th general in UFC featherweight rankings.

Prediction: The outdated saying is that kinds make fights, and this bout is the definitive model of contrasting kinds. Pico is an knowledgeable grappler who appears to floor and pound. Murphy is the basic striker. He desires to stay upright and punish his opponent with punches and kicks.

Aaron Pico
To defeat Lerone Murphy at UFC 319

-168

Pico is well-rested. He hasn’t fought since February 2024. He is additionally recorded first-round knockouts in every of his final two fights. This bout is a featherweight title eliminator. Take Pico to win and fast-track his solution to a title shot.

Increase Your UFC Picks

Earlier than getting your wagers down on UFC 319, remember to take a look at the greatest UFC betting odds to make sure you are getting the most effective bets out there. You may as well use sportsbooks evaluations 2025 to discover a betting web site to service your wants in UFC betting picks. And in the event you’re new to the world of on-line sports activities betting, do not fret about being in over your head. There are many how-to ideas that you may peruse in our helpful sports activities betting information.