Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khazmat Chimaev Prediction, Betting Pick, Latest UFC 319 Odds
Dricus Du Plessis will look to defend his UFC Middleweight title on Saturday night when he faces off with the undefeated Khazmat Chimaev. DDP hasn't lost since 2018 himself, so which one of these superstar fighters will go down in Chicago? Peter Alexis takes a look at this highly-anticipated UFC 319 title bout on Saturday, August 16th.
Peter Alexis - August 14, 2025, 11:00 AM EDT
5 Minute ReadDricus Du Plessis vs. Khazmat Chimaev Prediction, Betting Pick, Latest UFC 319 Odds
The UFC middleweight division gets a major shake-up this Saturday night as reigning champion Dricus Du Plessis defends his title against undefeated powerhouse Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319. After a breakout 2023, Du Plessis claimed the belt in a hard-fought split decision win over Sean Strickland at UFC 297, and then beat him again in February at UFC 312. That bout showcased his relentless pace, awkward but effective striking, and a gas tank that held up in a grueling five-round war. Now riding a 11-fight win streak and holding victories over former champions like Robert Whittaker and Isreal Adesanya, Du Plessis looks to cement himself as the true king of the 185-pound division.
On the other side, Khamzat Chimaev returns to action following a controversial majority decision win over Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 and a submission of Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 last October. While Chimaev started strong with dominant grappling against Usman, questions were raised about his cardio in the later rounds. Still, the Chechen-born fighter remains undefeated at 14–0 and is one of the most feared rising stars in the UFC. Known for his smothering wrestling and finishing ability, Chimaev has finished 12 of his 14 opponents, and is taking his first official shot at UFC gold after years of anticipation.
Stylistically, this is a classic clash of chaos vs. control. Du Plessis brings an unorthodox, high-volume attack mixed with underrated grappling and a willingness to fight in the trenches. Chimaev, meanwhile, thrives on early domination, overwhelming opponents with chain wrestling and heavy top control. With both fighters being battle-tested and physically imposing, fans are in for a high-stakes collision that could reshape the landscape of the middleweight division. Let's take a look at the full Du Plessis vs. Chimaev odds for UFC 319 on Saturday night.
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Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khazmat Chimaev Odds
- Moneyline: Dricus Du Plessis (+195), Khazmat Chimaev (-260)
Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khazmat Chimaev Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
- Time: 10:00 PM ET (Main Card Start)
- Where to Watch: ESPN, ESPN+
Click here for complete Du Plessis vs. Chimaev odds
Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khazmat Chimaev Prediction
Oddsmakers currently have Chimaev as a -260 favorite, with Du Plessis coming back around +200 depending on the book. That’s a significant nod toward Chimaev’s perceived dominance, but it may be overstating his edge based on resume alone. While Chimaev has run through his opposition, Du Plessis has fought and beaten a higher caliber of opponents at 185 pounds. Beating Usman at middleweight and on short notice isn’t quite the same as outlasting Strickland, knocking out Whittaker, and finishing Brunson + Adesanya.
Chimaev’s key to victory lies in controlling the early rounds. If he can get Du Plessis down early and avoid scrambles, he may lock in a submission or rack up dominant ground time. However, Du Plessis has repeatedly proven he thrives in chaos and fatigue. If this fight gets past round two, the cardio advantage may swing to the champion. Chimaev's last outing revealed potential holes in his stamina when forced to grapple at a sustained pace.
Expect a furious pace early. Chimaev will look to impose his wrestling immediately. If Du Plessis can stuff a few early takedowns or make Chimaev work for them, he’ll start to open up his striking. The South African’s awkward rhythm and power shots have broken elite fighters before. He may not be the better technician, but he’s a better survivor, and that could matter if this goes deep.
Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khazmat Chimaev Pick
- Pick: Over 2.5 Rounds (+105) Click here for complete Du Plessis vs. Chimaev UFC odds
Du Plessis is notoriously durable, and Chimaev will need to pace himself more carefully in a five-round fight. If this turns into a war, expect it to go into the championship rounds.
- Pick: Du Plessis by KO/TKO or Submission (+320) Click here for complete Du Plessis vs. Chimaev UFC odds
The champ has finished 20 of his 23 wins and thrives when fights descend into chaos. If Chimaev fades or can’t finish early, DDP has the grit and firepower to turn the tide and stop him late.
Chimaev wins early or Du Plessis drags him into deep waters. While the oddsmakers lean heavily toward Khamzat, Du Plessis’s toughness, cardio, and finishing ability make this a live dog situation. Don’t be surprised if the champ retains, especially after round 3.
MMA ODDS & PICKS
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