{"id":23132,"date":"2025-08-15T12:50:19","date_gmt":"2025-08-15T10:50:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=23132"},"modified":"2026-03-12T10:02:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T08:02:00","slug":"ufc-319-sa-champion-faces-biggest-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/ufc-319-sa-champion-faces-biggest-test\/","title":{"rendered":"UFC 319 Showdown: SA Champion Faces His Biggest Test Against Chimaev"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Chicago will be the stage for one of the most anticipated fights of the year when South Africa\u2019s UFC middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis, defends his title against unbeaten Russian star Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of UFC 319 at the United Centre on Saturday night (Sunday morning, SA time).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 31-year-old Du Plessis will not only battle his formidable opponent, but also a crowd expected to lean heavily in Chimaev\u2019s favour. At Thursday\u2019s pre-fight press event, the South African was greeted by a chorus of boos from a largely pro-Chimaev audience. Yet, displaying his trademark composure, Du Plessis brushed off the noise and maintained his focus on fight night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Can it get any more intense \ud83d\ude2e\u200d\ud83d\udca8<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/dricusduplessis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@DricusDuPlessis<\/a> vs <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/KChimaev?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@KChimaev<\/a><br><br>[ LIVE SAT 10pmET on <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ESPNPlus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@ESPNPlus<\/a> PPV ] <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ar6nNShqGF\">pic.twitter.com\/ar6nNShqGF<\/a><\/p>&mdash; UFC (@ufc) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ufc\/status\/1956127276652769298?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">August 14, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-dricus-du-plessis-a-champion-on-a-mission\">Dricus du Plessis: A Champion on a Mission<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Since claiming the middleweight crown with a split-decision victory over Sean Strickland in January 2024, Du Plessis has defended the belt twice, submitting Israel Adesanya in August last year, then edging Strickland again by decision in February at UFC 312. Now on an 11-fight winning streak, \u201cStillknocks\u201d is eyeing a third successful defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis is about fighting the best,\u201d Du Plessis told reporters. \u201cOn Saturday night, remember who\u2019s in there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The champion\u2019s previous US appearance came in 2023, while Chimaev, also 31, last fought on American soil a year earlier. Despite Du Plessis\u2019s impressive record (23-2 MMA), bookmakers have him as the underdog against the undefeated Chimaev (14-0 MMA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2151971590\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-khamzat-chimaev-s-unbeaten-aura\">Khamzat Chimaev\u2019s Unbeaten Aura<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Khamzat Chimaev\u2019s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. The Russian-born fighter has dispatched high-calibre opponents such as Gilbert Burns, Kamaru Usman, and Robert Whittaker, combining relentless wrestling pressure with dangerous stand-up striking. His unblemished record and aggressive style have made him one of the most feared competitors in the division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Confident in his chances, Chimaev made a bold declaration at the press conference: \u201cAfrica never gonna see the belt again. Sorry guys.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev Press Conference Highlights UFC 319\" width=\"755\" height=\"425\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xYaqarRb-7s?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-history-and-high-stakes\">History and High Stakes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>UFC 319 marks the promotion\u2019s first return to Chicago since June 2019, and it will be just the third middleweight title bout in Illinois since 2008. For Du Plessis, the stakes are more than personal glory, it\u2019s about representing the country on one of the sport\u2019s biggest stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Interestingly, the fight coincides with the Springboks\u2019 Rugby Championship clash against the Wallabies. The last time Du Plessis fought on the same weekend as a Boks-Wallabies encounter was July 2023, when he beat Robert Whittaker and the Boks triumphed over Australia. Fans will be hoping for another double victory this weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2443665311\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-ufc-319-card\">The UFC 319 Card<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While all eyes will be on Du Plessis vs Chimaev, the UFC 319 card is stacked with talent. Featherweights Lerone Murphy and Aaron Pico will clash in an explosive match-up, while welterweights Geoff Neal and Carlos Prates promise fireworks. In the middleweight division, Jared Cannonier faces Michael Page, and flyweights Tim Elliott and Kai Asakura will open the pay-per-view slate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-ufc-319-main-card-subject-to-change\"><strong>UFC 319 Main Card (subject to change):<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Dricus du Plessis (c) vs Khamzat Chimaev<\/strong> \u2013 Middleweight title fight<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lerone Murphy vs Aaron Pico \u2013 Featherweight<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Geoff Neal vs Carlos Prates \u2013 Welterweight<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Jared Cannonier vs Michael Page \u2013 Middleweight<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tim Elliott vs Kai Asakura \u2013 Flyweight<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-nation-holding-its-breath\">A Nation Holding Its Breath<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For South African sports fans, UFC 319 is more than just another <a href=\"https:\/\/supersport.com\/mma\/general\/news\/b17cb943-7c7e-4251-af14-90de110927e0\/all-set-for-davis-rabadanov-clash\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">fight card<\/a>. It\u2019s a chance to see one of the country\u2019s finest athletes defend his crown against one of the most dangerous fighters in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If Bruce Buffer\u2019s post-fight announcement begins with the words \u201cAnd still\u2026 the undisputed UFC Middleweight Champion of the world\u2026 Dricus du Plessis!\u201d, it will be a moment that unites the nation in celebration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Until then, the question remains: will Du Plessis\u2019s grit, skill, and resilience be enough to hand Chimaev his first professional loss? The answer will come under the bright lights of Chicago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Related article: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/whats-on-in-sport-this-weekend\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">From Rugby to Cricket: What\u2019s on in Sport This Weekend<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chicago will be the stage for one of the most anticipated fights of the year when South Africa\u2019s UFC middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis, defends his title against unbeaten Russian star Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of UFC 319 at the United Centre on Saturday night (Sunday morning, SA time). The 31-year-old Du Plessis<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":23138,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"Chicago will be the stage for one of the most anticipated fights of the year when South Africa\u2019s UFC middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis, defends his...","footnotes":""},"categories":[56,64],"tags":[10820,10818],"class_list":{"0":"post-23132","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"category-sports-news","9":"tag-dricus-du-plessis","10":"tag-ufc"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23132","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23132"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23132\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23141,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23132\/revisions\/23141"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23138"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23132"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23132"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23132"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}