Dana White, the president of the UFC, has expressed unwavering confidence that the upcoming clash between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev will be a highlight of UFC 319. Following a series of low-hype events at the Apex facility in Las Vegas, the UFC is gearing up to return to live action at the United Center in Chicago on August 16. The main event will see Khamzat Chimaev challenge Dricus du Plessis for the coveted middleweight title, setting the stage for an electrifying pay-per-view experience.
The highly anticipated matchup between Chimaev and du Plessis has generated considerable buzz, with fans and analysts divided over who will emerge victorious. Dana White, however, has made a bold proclamation regarding the fight's potential. He confidently asserts that the Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev fight will undoubtedly be UFC 319’s ‘Fight of the Night’.
“It is hard to not talk about this main event,” White stated during an appearance on the Pardon My Take podcast. “Khamzat Chimaev is back, actually fighting in the United States. That fight is gonna be badass. There is no way that the main event is not the Fight of the Night.”
UFC 319 features an intriguing lineup filled with notable fighters and exciting matchups. Alongside the main event, the co-main event showcases Aaron Pico making his debut against Lerone Murphy. The card also includes returns from fan favorites like Michael ‘Venom’ Page, Kai Asakura, Carlos Prates, Edson Barboza, and Jessica Andrade. Despite the stacked nature of the event, Dana White remains steadfast in his belief that the main event will outshine all other bouts.
Dricus du Plessis is fully focused on his goal of becoming the first fighter to defeat Khamzat Chimaev in MMA. However, he has plans that extend beyond this fight. While he is currently concentrating on his upcoming challenge, du Plessis intends to advocate for the UFC to hold an event in his home country of South Africa for the very first time. “I know the conversations are there between the UFC and South Africa, and the sports ministers, and the cities, and the arenas — everything is in conversation,” Du Plessis explained in an interview with Scott Fontana for the New York Post.
He added, “That is definitely something that I will get after as soon as I am done with this fight. The UFC is now massive in South Africa. The country is so behind the UFC and myself, behind me fighting.” Du Plessis is committed to ensuring that the right discussions take place to make this dream a reality.
As UFC 319 approaches, all eyes will be on the main event featuring Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev. With Dana White's strong belief in the fight’s potential to deliver an unforgettable performance, fans can expect a thrilling night of MMA action. Whether du Plessis can claim victory and push for a title defense in South Africa remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: UFC 319 is set to be an event not to miss.
