Main Event: Dricus Du Plessis (c) vs Khamzat Chimaev – Middleweight Title
Dricus Du Plessis – The Champion
Du Plessis thrives in chaos. His movement and striking don’t follow traditional patterns, which makes him hard to read and even harder to time. He carries fight-ending power deep into the championship rounds, is physically strong in the clinch, and uses awkward angles to open up strikes opponents don’t see coming. Mentally, he’s shown resilience in adversity, often growing stronger as fights progress.
Khamzat Chimaev – The Challenger
Chimaev is a whirlwind in the opening minutes, blending world-class wrestling with heavy ground-and-pound and increasingly sharp striking. His best work comes when he’s driving opponents to the fence, chaining takedowns, and smothering them on the mat. He’s yet to be truly tested in deep waters, and managing his energy output will be key in a five-rounder.
Tactical Breakdown
- Chimaev’s route: Apply suffocating pressure from the first bell, take Du Plessis down early, and hunt for a submission before the champion finds his rhythm.
- Du Plessis’ route: Survive the early blitz, make Chimaev work hard for every exchange, and turn the fight into a high-volume striking battle from round three onwards.
The fight is as much a test of cardio and composure as it is of skills.
Co-Main Event: Lerone Murphy vs Aaron Pico – Featherweight
Lerone Murphy – The Technician
Murphy is a composed, methodical striker who rarely wastes movement. His jab is sharp, his defence tight, and he’s happy to fight at a measured pace to gradually break down opponents. He also has underrated wrestling defence, which will be tested here.
Aaron Pico – The Firecracker
Pico is explosive, powerful, and aggressive. His boxing combinations are crisp and his body shots sap opponents quickly. He’s also a strong wrestler, capable of mixing takedowns into his offence to keep foes guessing. The risk is that his aggression sometimes leaves openings for counters.
Tactical Breakdown
- Pico’s route: Blitz early with combinations, mix in takedowns to unsettle Murphy, and capitalise on any defensive lapses.
- Murphy’s route: Use the jab and footwork to keep Pico at range, pick shots carefully, and draw him into overcommitting so counters land cleanly.
This is a classic patience-versus-power matchup, with momentum likely to swing multiple times.
Geoff Neal vs Carlos Prates – Welterweight
Geoff Neal – The Sharpshooter
Neal is a southpaw with a dangerous counter left hand and compact, accurate combinations. He’s battle-tested against top contenders and rarely gets drawn into reckless exchanges unless hurt. His low kicks and body work add to his arsenal, making him dangerous in extended striking exchanges.
Carlos Prates – The Rising Danger
Prates is a fearless striker with knockout power in all limbs. He pushes a high pace and isn’t afraid to stand in the pocket. His willingness to trade means he can overwhelm less durable opponents, but it also leaves him open to precision counters from more measured fighters.
Tactical Breakdown
- Prates’ route: Pressure Neal from the outset, force him to shell up, and create chaos where his own power can take over.
- Neal’s route: Maintain distance, work the body early, and punish Prates’ entries with sharp counters.
This is the kind of fight where one clean shot could change everything inside a single round.
Jared Cannonier vs Michael “Venom” Page – Middleweight
Jared Cannonier – The Pressure Striker
Cannonier is a disciplined, power-driven striker who excels at chopping opponents down with low kicks, setting up heavy hands as they slow. His durability and patience make him a difficult puzzle to solve, especially for fighters who rely on movement.
Michael “Venom” Page – The Wild Card
Page brings a completely different look: a loose, rangy style, side-on stance, and a knack for setting traps. He uses long-range kicks and blitz attacks to disrupt rhythm, often frustrating opponents into mistakes. While flashy, his style can be nullified by heavy pressure and leg damage.
Tactical Breakdown
- Cannonier’s route: Close distance methodically, hammer the lead leg, and force Page into exchanges in the pocket.
- Page’s route: Stay mobile, pick shots from the outside, and use lateral movement to avoid prolonged engagements.
This is a battle between raw power and creative finesse—whoever imposes their preferred tempo will likely take the win.
Tim Elliott vs Kai Asakura – Flyweight
Tim Elliott – The Grappling Maverick
Elliott is unpredictable on the feet, mixing constant movement with takedown attempts from all angles. His scrambles are chaotic and his cardio allows him to push a relentless pace. While not a big finisher, he drowns opponents in volume and activity.
Kai Asakura – The Precision Striker
Asakura has a crisp, clean striking style with knockout power uncommon at flyweight. He excels in timing, punishing overcommitted entries, and controlling distance with sharp combinations. The concern is whether he can keep Elliott off him for three full rounds.
Tactical Breakdown
- Asakura’s route: Keep the fight standing, use angles to avoid clinches, and land punishing counters on Elliott’s entries.
- Elliott’s route: Chain wrestle, keep Asakura reacting rather than attacking, and make it a scrappy, uncomfortable fight.
This fight is all about range control—if Elliott can close it, he thrives; if not, Asakura will have the cleaner moments.
Prelims
Bobby “King” Green vs Diego Ferreira – Lightweight
Green: Slick, hands-low boxer with excellent defensive head movement. Loves countering and talking mid-fight.
Ferreira: Aggressive grappler with sharp jiu-jitsu and solid boxing combinations.
Keys to Victory
- Green: Keep the fight standing, win with volume and accuracy.
- Ferreira: Push pace early, take Green down, and threaten with submissions.
Jessica Andrade vs Loopy Godínez – Strawweight
Andrade: Short, stocky powerhouse with vicious hooks and forward pressure. Relies on aggression and raw strength.
Godínez: Well-rounded wrestler with improving boxing, thrives on control and clinch work.
Keys to Victory
- Andrade: Force exchanges, keep it in the pocket, and overwhelm with power.
- Godínez: Use angles, avoid trading in the pocket, and take Andrade down repeatedly.
Gerald Meerschaert vs Michał Oleksiejczuk – Middleweight
Meerschaert: Submission expert with dangerous chokes and relentless grappling pressure.
Oleksiejczuk: Fast starter with heavy boxing combinations and body shots.
Keys to Victory
- Meerschaert: Survive early storm, drag fight to the mat, and hunt the neck.
- Oleksiejczuk: Keep it standing, start fast, and land big early.
Chase Hooper vs Alexander Hernandez – Lightweight
Hooper: Tall, lanky grappler with slick submissions but developing striking.
Hernandez: Explosive athlete with fast hands and knockout power.
Keys to Victory
- Hooper: Use reach to set up takedowns, then dominate on the mat.
- Hernandez: Keep range short, defend takedowns, and test Hooper’s chin.
Early Prelims
Edson Barboza vs Drakkar Klose – Lightweight
Barboza: Elite kicker with lightning speed and knockout power, especially to the body and legs.
Klose: Pressure fighter with solid wrestling and durability.
Keys to Victory
- Barboza: Circle, fire low kicks, and maintain striking distance.
- Klose: Smother Barboza, avoid the kicking range, and make it a clinch-heavy fight.
Bryan Battle vs Nursulton Ruziboev – Middleweight
Battle: Versatile and gritty, with improving striking and solid grappling transitions.
Ruziboev: Tall, rangy finisher with a knack for opportunistic submissions and KO power.
Keys to Victory
- Battle: Control pace, mix in wrestling to slow Ruziboev’s rhythm.
- Ruziboev: Keep it long, look for counters, and punish mistakes.
Conclusion
UFC 319 offers more than just a blockbuster main event — this is a card where nearly every fight has a potential “Fight of the Night” spark. From high-stakes title action to veteran chess matches and stylistic wildcards, the event is built for drama from first bell to last.
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