𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Find out where Du Plessis ranks on our pound-for-pound list, with the potential for a jump if he wins tonight of course…

Drakkar Klose def. Edson Barboza via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Karine Silva def. Dione Barbosa via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Joseph Morales def. Alibi Idris via second-round submission (triangle choke, 3:04)

And here’s Will Castle’s interview with Lerone Murphy, who faces former Bellator star and UFC debutant Aaron Pico tonight:

Michael “Venom” Page has explained his decision to stay at middleweight for his next UFC fight, despite previously expressing an intention to drop back to welterweight.

The kickboxing specialist, 38, will face former title challenger Jared Cannonier at UFC 319.

In the main event of UFC 319, Dricus Du Plessis will defend the middleweight title against Khamzat Chimaev, in a contest that promises chaos. It may not prove the peak of technicality inside the Octagon, but if your taste tends towards the turbulent, then savour this.

It was immediately clear that something had gone badly wrong for Robert Whittaker. Scarily wrong. Fighters do not tap quickly to face cranks, but Whittaker submitted within milliseconds of a forearm sliding across his jaw. Later, Khamzat Chimaev revealed he heard a “click” as soon as he applied the crank. Yet a “click” does not convey the gruesome reality of the injury inflicted.

Soon, a photo circulated, showing the bloody cave of Whittaker’s mouth. It looked like a mouth, anyway; it definitely contained teeth. But they were awash with crimson, and three in the bottom row were completely detached from their neighbours. These teeth were bent back at almost 90 degrees, facing the roof of the cavern.

This was not a jaw-dropping performance from Chimaev, it was a jaw-shattering one. The Russian’s career has been turbulent, with weight issues, sickness, and travel limitations thwarting him from competing regularly. Yet when he does make it to the cage, these volatilities vanish, and Chimaev becomes a frightening, single-minded beast.

Khamzat Chimaev in profile:

Dricus Du Plessis (C) vs Khamzat Chimaev (middleweight title)

Lerone Murphy vs Aaron Pico (featherweight)

Geoff Neal vs Carlos Prates (welterweight)

Jared Cannonier vs Michael “Venom” Page (middleweight)

Tim Elliott vs Kai Asakura (flyweight)

Baisangur Susurkaev vs Eric Nolan (middleweight)

Gerald Meerschaert vs Michal Oleksiejczuk (middleweight)

Jessica Andrade vs Loopy Godinez (women’s strawweight)

Chase Hooper vs Alexander Hernandez (lightweight)

Edson Barboza vs Drakkar Klose (lightweight)

Bryan Battle vs Nursulton Ruziboev (middleweight)

Karine Silva vs JJ Aldrich (women’s flyweight)

Alibi Idiris vs Joseph Morales (flyweight)

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The card will air live on TNT Sports in the UK, with the broadcaster’s app and website also streaming the fights. Discovery+ will also air the action in the UK. In the US, ESPN+ will stream the event live, as will the UFC’s Fight Pass.

The South African, 31, has never lost in the UFC, but his opponent tonight has never lost in his entire career. Chimaev, also 31, is seen as one of the most terrifying prospects in MMA, but this evening he goes from prospect to title challenger at last.

Follow live updates and results from the UFC 319 prelims and main card, right here.