This weekend promises to be action-packed for MMA enthusiasts, with two major events taking center stage: the UFC 319 in Chicago and the PFL World Championships in Charlotte, North Carolina. On Saturday, the UFC will host its final pay-per-view of the summer at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV, with prelims starting at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Meanwhile, the PFL World Championships continue on Friday at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN, with prelims at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
At UFC 319, the spotlight will be on Dricus Du Plessis, the South African middleweight champion, who is set to defend his title for the third time against ESPN's No. 2 middleweight, Khamzat Chimaev. Both fighters enter the Octagon with undefeated records; Du Plessis boasts an impressive 9-0 record with six early stoppages, while Chimaev holds an 8-0 record with six stoppages of his own. This matchup is expected to be a thrilling contest between two of the best in the division.
In the co-main event, former Bellator MMA standout Aaron Pico will make his highly anticipated UFC debut against the undefeated featherweight contender Lerone Murphy. Murphy is currently on an eight-fight winning streak, the longest among active fighters in the 145-pound category. The winner of this bout could potentially find themselves facing off against champion Alexander Volkanovski next.
This weekend also marks the continuation of the PFL World Championships, where the lightweight, bantamweight, and women's flyweight titles are on the line. In a highly anticipated matchup, former Bellator champion Liz Carmouche aims to add another championship belt to her collection as she faces off against Jena Bishop. Additionally, power punchers Alfie Davis and defending champion Gadzhi Rabadanov will compete for the lightweight title, while first-season PFL contenders Marcirely Alves and Justin Wetzell battle for the bantamweight championship.
As the hype builds for the title fights, ESPN MMA analysts and commentators are sharing their predictions for the Du Plessis vs. Chimaev fight. Betting expert Ian Parker also weighs in on potential value bets available on the UFC and PFL fight cards. Regarding the middleweight championship, he suggests that Du Plessis may struggle to stop Chimaev's takedowns, but if he can get back to his feet, he could put up a strong fight.
Anthony Smith believes that Du Plessis has what it takes to win, stating, "I think he is good enough to get back to his feet." In contrast, Din Thomas argues that Chimaev's grappling pressure will be too much for Du Plessis, emphasizing that the South African will need to excel in grappling to secure a victory.
For those looking to place bets, Parker has offered insights on various matchups. In the strawweight division, he predicts Loopy Godínez to win against Jessica Andrade due to her wrestle-heavy approach, which he believes will neutralize Andrade's abilities. In the lightweight bout between Edson Barboza and Drakkar Klose, Parker favors Barboza, noting that Klose will struggle unless he can take the fight to the ground.
As for the PFL World Championships, Parker anticipates that Gadzhi Rabadanov will win against Alfie Davis inside the distance, citing Rabadanov's evolution into a complete mixed martial artist. He also predicts a finish for Liz Carmouche against Jena Bishop, emphasizing her experience and strategic ground game.
This weekend's events are set to deliver thrilling matchups and potential title changes in the world of MMA. With the UFC 319 and PFL World Championships taking place, fans can expect high stakes and intense competition. Whether you're tuning in for the fights or placing bets, this is a weekend you won't want to miss!
