Last Updated on August 14, 2025 11:47 am by Erwin Noguera
We are eager for the UFC to make its way into its next numbered event once things go down at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, as we are about to witness what seems to be one of the best UFC events of this year.
The Main event sees a clash between the Middleweight champion, Dricuss Du Plessis, as he faces off with a dangerous opponent who has a huge hype train behind him in Khamzat Chimaev.
Our co-main event of the night has Lerone Murphy facing off against Aaron Pico, and it could be a fun clash to watch unfold in the featherweight division.
The event is not only a stacked card, but also an exciting one, with 15 clashes in which the 10 prelims are going to keep building up the hype as we enter the five clashes in the main card, and we couldn’t be more eager to see things unfold for UFC 319.
At Gambyl Exchange, you can check all the UFC/MMA bets, the analysis of each fighter, and the final bet you can make in these fights.
UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev Fight Card Odds and Info
Dricus Du Plessis +229 | Khamzat Chimaev -294 |
Lerone Murphy +103 | Aaron Pico -130 |
Geoff Neal +216 | Carlos Prates -278 |
Jared Cannonier +144 | Michael Page -185 |
Tim Elliott +241 | Kai Asakura -323 |
King Green +133 | Diego Ferreira -169 |
Gerald Meerschaert +183 | Michal Oleksiejczuk -238 |
Baysangur Susurkaev -312 | Eric Nolan +236 |
Jessica Andrade +122 | Lupita Godinez -152 |
Alexander Hernández +236 | Chase Hooper -312 |
Edson Barboza -159 | Drakkar Klose +126 |
Nursulton Ruziboev +113 | Bryan Battle -141 |
Karine Silva -217 | Dione Barbosa +173 |
Rodrigo Sezinando TBD | Daniil Donchenko TBD |
Alibi Idiris -345 | Joseph Morales +248 |
When? | Saturday, August 16th, at 6:00 pm ET, 5:00 pm CST, 4:00 pm MT, and 3:00 pm PT |
Where? | The United Center in Newark, Chicago, Illinois |
Where Can I Watch it? | UFC Fight Pass |
UFC 319: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev
Why Bet on Dricus Du Plessis?
DuPlessis is coming off a string of magnificent performances that have upset the odds time and time again, having been an underdog in most of his championship bouts, excluding the most recent Strickland fight.
It’s challenging to prepare defensively for someone who disregards technique and relies solely on brute strength and explosiveness like DDP.
Now, when it comes to explosiveness, we expect to see some fatigue set in. Although DDP may appear fatigued, he isn’t truly tired. The exhaustion he shows is a normal part of his fighting style. Despite his visual appearance, he continues to give full effort and doesn’t ease off at all.
In terms of his striking, DDP is a whole lot cleaner with his kicks and punches than anything else he throws. He is capable of stringing together some decent combinations, each with disgusting power, and it’s that power that makes him seem stiff, lumbering, or awkward because you cannot strike cleanly while fully tensed up.
Why Bet on Khamzat Chimaev?
Chimaev has displayed some remarkable wrestling in his confusing UFC career. We understand that there’s hype surrounding him because he’s mauled people before, but when you compare both fighters’ records, DDP’s record runs laps around Chimaev’s.
It is clear to us that Chimaev’s entire style is to be a shockwave of high-impact takedowns and quick submission attempts, with the following rounds having far less output due to either fatigue or wanting to fight smart.No matter the way you see it, Chimaev will have to work extremely hard to keep DDP in his control.
Final Betting Analysis: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev
Whilst we are certain that Chimaev will successfully take DDP to the ground, we are also sure that DDP will make it difficult for Chimaev to keep him there.
We expect Chimaev to get the fight to the ground early. The first two rounds (if it lasts that long) are likely to be an uphill battle for both DDP and Chimaev.
Another thing that people probably don’t recognize or perhaps forget is that DDP is a huge Middleweight. He is both longer and taller than Chimaev, and that could present some problems for Chimaev.
We believe DDP will be able to defend his belt and silence Chimaev’s hype train in one go.
UFC 319: Lerone Murphy vs. Aaron Pico
Why Bet on Lerone Murphy?
Murphy is a fantastic prospect with outstanding kickboxing, which lands with a very high accuracy. He has gone every round (decision) against some of the toughest names of this division, such as Emmett, Ige, and Barboza.
Murphy should have a speed advantage with his striking; he is quick with his combinations, and his variance with his strikes is a major advantage coming into this fight because Pico is a bit of a one-dimensional striker himself. However, we believe that staying in the pocket is dangerous for Murphy.
Why Bet on Aaron Pico?
We’ve seen Pico boxing a few times this week, and one thing we have noticed is that, considering this is an Orthodox versus Orthodox fighter, the lead hand will be the prime weapon for Pico.
Pico’s boxing poses a significant danger that is often underestimated by some. Now, if Pico gets knocked out and his boxing looks awful, then we’ll be surprised because he does have the propensity to let his hands go, although he is a bit of a frail-chinned fighter, so any counters from Murphy could end the fight.
Final Betting Analysis: Lerone Murphy vs. Aaron Pico
The takedown threat from Pico is live from the very moment the fight starts. Murphy has to defend from two different angles here: the boxing prowess of Pico and the wrestling capabilities of Pico.
However, we believe Murphy’s well-rounded game will allow him to adapt and win the rounds to take a decision victory.
UFC 319: Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates
Why Bet on Geoff Neal?
Geoff Neal enters the UFC 319 after an unusual knockout victory over Rafael dos Anjos. A bout that ended prematurely due to injury, but still showcased Neal’s signature traits: sharp boxing and formidable knockout power. Against Carlos Prates, Neal may be incentivized to adjust his approach, possibly incorporating clinch work and takedowns to neutralize Prates’ dangerous striking range. Grinding his opponent against the cage could limit Prates’ offensive output, as trading at mid-range against such a precise and powerful striker is a significant risk.
Why Bet on Carlos Prates?
Carlos Prates has delivered impressive performances throughout his UFC run, combining technical skill with finishing ability. In a three-round fight, concerns over his cardio are minimal. Prates brings a rare combination of advantages: greater reach, superior technical boxing, and enough punching power to control exchanges from distance. His jab-cross combinations, delivered with precision and range management, could force Neal into uncomfortable positions and limit his offensive effectiveness.
Final Betting Analysis: Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates
Prates is expected to be more aggressive here than in his bout against Ian Garry, pushing the pace early and leveraging his size advantage. Neal, accustomed to enjoying reach benefits over most opponents, will instead face a notable height and reach deficit. In a striking-focused contest, Neal must often close the distance, which exposes him to Prates’ powerful shots. While Neal’s durability and experience remain factors, the matchup heavily favors the fighter who can control range and tempo, an area where Prates appears to hold the upper hand.
UFC 319: Jared Cannonier vs. Michael Page
Why Bet on Jared Cannonier?
Jared Cannonier deserves full respect for his resume. He has battled the elite of the middleweight division and endured multiple five-round wars. His knockout power remains a constant threat, and if he can close the distance on Michael “Venom” Page, he has the tools to end the fight emphatically.
However, doing so requires him to take significant risks against one of the sport’s most elusive strikers. Cannonier must abandon patience, bite down on his mouthpiece, and push forward relentlessly. He has the cardio for three hard rounds, but the larger cage could work against him, allowing MVP to reset, glide out of range, and drain Cannonier’s energy as the fight progresses.
Why Bet on Michael Page?
Michael Page continues to prove himself as one of the most awkward and frustrating matchups in the UFC. His unorthodox style, pinpoint accuracy, and range control have neutralized nearly every threat he has faced. Against Cannonier, MVP’s game plan is straightforward: dictate range, punish forward pressure with sharp counters, and maintain control of the tempo. If Cannonier charges in, Page will angle off and fire back; If Cannonier slows the pace, MVP will rack up points with clean, effective strikes from a distance.
Final Betting Analysis: Jared Cannonier vs. Michael Page
Expect MVP to employ his trademark style—hands low, fast straight shots, minimal volume but maximum accuracy.
This patient and methodical approach minimizes openings for Cannonier’s while steadily building a lead. Wrestling could be Cannonier’s path to success, but covering the distance to initiate grappling exchanges against such a rangy, mobile opponent is a tall order. With Page’s ability to control range, frustrate aggressive opponents, and avoid extended exchanges, the fight appears to lean heavily in his favor.
UFC 319: Tim Elliott vs. Kai Asakura
Why Bet on Tim Elliott?
Elliott is coming off a win over Sumudaerji, but that was over 1.5 years ago, and it’s hard to translate that performance into how he looks now because 1.5 years of not fighting is a fair bit of time for someone as aged as Elliott.
Elliott is a fairly decent challenge for Asakura when you think about it, because he has one wrestling style that has been a problem for Asakura lately.
Elliot may be one of the most hittable fighters in the UFC, but if he can take Asakura down and keep him there, there is a huge chance of an upset.
Why Bet on Kai Asakura?
Asakura recently faced a tough match against Pantoja, where he was unable to secure a win and ended up getting choked out within two rounds.
The good news for Asakura is that he successfully defended some takedowns from Pantoja; however, just one exchange and some positional advances were enough to defeat the talented Japanese fighter.
Asakura possesses significant advantages on his feet; his power and speed are exceptional. He poses a threat to many fighters in this division, especially as long as the fight remains standing for the entire duration.
Final Betting Analysis: Tim Elliott vs. Kai Asakura
We struggle to believe that someone like Asakura can improve his takedown and grappling defense that much in such a short time.
Outside of wrestling and grappling, we cannot see Elliott pulling ahead on the scorecards, as Asakura is a really dangerous striker, and he also has the height and length advantage that any striker would dream of.
Elliott needs to take this fight to the ground and be the grappling bully; otherwise, he is at risk of being knocked out, and we expect that to happen.
UFC 319: King Green vs. Diego Ferreira
Why Bet on King Green?
The main concern we have here for Green is showing too much hesitancy about being knocked out. After a knockout, fighters often start slow and fall behind on the scorecards.
Ferreira has knockout potential here, but what caught Green off guard with Ruffy was the unorthodox and unique style he showed.
We anticipate that Green will perform much better in this fight, especially since Ferreira has a very squared stance and uses a sloppy guard. It will likely be a boxing contest, and Green tends to excel when he faces another striker with conventional techniques. However, we are concerned about the psychological aspect of potentially losing by knockout.
Why Bet on Diego Ferreira?
Ferreira is someone who has not changed that much during his later years in his career. He still throws powerful strikes, uses a dangerous front kick early as a range finder, and remains incredibly tenacious despite sustaining severe damage.
The issue is that, aside from a few of his fights, Ferreira doesn’t appear to be an exceptional striker. While he has displayed impressive striking at times, it’s not so remarkable that we wouldn’t expect Green to adapt to his style or counter it effectively.
The primary advantage that Ferreira has over Green is the initial pressure and potential high volume early on, because if he starts the fight looking like he’s going to chase a first round finish, that’s not only going to freeze up a potentially cautious Green, but it’s also going to fatigue him if Green does move and defend accordingly.
Final Betting Analysis: King Green vs. Diego Ferreira
When it comes to grappling, we think that Ferreira can also look relatively dangerous as he has a third-degree black belt in BJJ and a bunch of submission wins under his record.
However, we believe that most of the fight will take place on the feet, and we believe that’s exactly what Green wants to happen to start breaking down Ferreira over time.
UFC 319: Gerald Meerschaert vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk
Why Bet on Gerald Meerschaert?
GM3 is coming off back-to-back losses against RDR and Tavares, and those are fine losses because they’re decent competition.
GM3 is a fantastic grappler, a subpar striker, and someone who has nearly as many losses as Oleksiejczuk has wins, which is a crazy stat.
There is no doubt in our mind that GM3 needs to submit Oleksiejczuk to win, but we are intrigued to see just how he accomplishes that because Oleksiejczuk is both training with the Fighting Nerds team now and is a genuine threat on the feet.
GM3’s strategy to win this fight is to bring it to the ground and grapple, as he has a chance to submit Oleksiejczuk.
Why Bet on Michal Oleksiejczuk?
Oleksiejczuk is coming off a win against Sedriquas Dumas. Our main point of interest regarding Oleksiejczuk is his recent change to the Fighting Nerds camp. We’re curious to see if this has significantly improved his takedown defense, particularly regarding defending against GM3’s wrestling. If he can successfully stuff those takedowns, GM3 could be in serious trouble.
Final Betting Analysis: Gerald Meerschaert vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk
GM3 can employ his wrestling and bring the fight to the ground, but that would mean he has to enter the firing range of Oleksiejczuk, and we don’t see that ending too well for him.
We are either going to see a result in which GM3 wins via submission, or Oleksiejczuk wins via KO, because Oleksiejczuk himself has rather powerful boxing and ground-and-pound.
Now, if Oleksiejczuk doesn’t follow through with clean ground and pound, we’re probably going to see GM3 find submissions off his back, because that’s where GM3 thrives, and we believe that is what we will see happening.
UFC 319: Baysangur Susurkaev vs. Eric Nolan
Why Bet on Baysangur Susurkaev?
Baysangur just had a great performance on DWCS on Tuesday, but a 4-day turnaround is a difficult, even dangerous task.
He is an impressive knockout artist with takedown defense comparable to what you would expect from a fighter from Chechnya. However, we believe that having to make two weight cuts within five days will take a greater toll on him than the fights themselves.
Why Bet on Eric Nolan?
Eric might be in his most lucky moment as he gets to fight a Susurkaev after two weight cuts in short succession, but that will not make up for the fact that he might just be outmatched in the skill department.
However, he might have a shot in this clash, but it is not a big one if we are to be honest.
Final Betting Analysis: Baysangur Susurkaev vs. Eric Nolan
Susurkaev’s undefeated record is on the line, and it will be a hard fight for him, as even though he has showcased his talent recently, having back-to-back weight cuts might just be too much of a tall order.
We think this might be the “Crazy move”, but we are going into the odds with this clash, and are backing up Susurkaev to win if he makes it through the weight cut.
UFC 319: Jessica Andrade vs. Lupita Godinez
Why Bet on Jessica Andrade?
Typically, Andrade is a fantastic fighter with a great, well-rounded style. However, her problem will always be her size; She is a small powerhouse who excels in Strawweight, as her height and reach disadvantages are less pronounced compared to her natural division at 115 pounds.
Now, stylistically, the main thing that Andrade brings to the table is her striking style, it’s her bread and butter, and no doubt going to be on full display as she faces a slow cooker like Godinez. The longer the fight remains standing, the more likely Godinez is to make mistakes with her own rather good boxing.
Why Bet on Lupita Godinez?
Godinez is one of those fighters in this division who is highly capable of weaponizing her cardio. Her boxing is rather rudimentary, but it comes in high volume and with somewhat high variance. However, her boxing is also a bit of a problem because she’s a wrestler at heart.
Godinez has strong wrestler arms, and while her striking can be quite damaging, her takedowns are what truly matter to her; they are her best weapon. We don’t expect that to change in this fight. If she decides to go toe-to-toe with Andrade, she will certainly feel the power of her opponent.
Final Betting Analysis: Jessica Andrade vs. Lupita Godinez
In terms of the takedown threat from Godinez, we think Andrade will probably struggle against the sheer volume of takedowns, but thanks to the similar arm length, she should be able to defend takedowns a bit easier.
However, if Godinez attempts to trade strikes with Andrade, she will be severely beaten. We believe that Andrade will likely stop the takedowns and engage in striking.
UFC 319: Alexander Hernandez vs. Chase Hooper
Why Bet on Alexander Hernandez?
Hernandez is an interesting fighter with a mix of strong striking skills and poor cardio. In the first round of most of his fights, he looks like he could be a world champion. However, during the second half of the fight, his output significantly decreases, revealing his tendency to slow down considerably.
Hernandez is going to have to contend with a rapidly improved boxing style of Hooper, who has fallen in love with throwing combinations. However, many people are primarily concerned about Hernandez’s grappling skills, particularly regarding Hooper, who is considered one of the most skilled grapplers in the division.
Why Bet on Chase Hooper?
Hooper has shown some incredible improvements to his well-rounded game in recent fights, and the first time we saw huge changes was when he fought Viacheslav Borshchev.
Now, obviously, the primary advantage that Hooper has over Hernandez is in the grappling. He is one of the most vicious submission specialists in the division, and to accomplish what he has done at such a young age is remarkable.
We fully expect Hooper to look outstanding against Hernandez here, with perhaps some struggle in the early rounds, as that is when Hernandez is typically at his best, but if he survives that storm, he should be able to pull ahead on the scorecards and impose himself on a potentially fatigued Hernandez.
Final Betting Analysis: Alexander Hernandez vs. Chase Hooper
We think that outside of a wild flurry within the first half of the fight or at least the first two rounds, Hernandez’s chances of winning are somewhat slim because to win against Hooper, you need to overwhelm him and get past that lanky frame and those long strikes.
There is a somewhat small chance of an upset here, but we do expect Hooper to handle Hernandez without too much trouble.
UFC 319: Edson Barboza vs. Drakkar Klose
Why Bet on Edson Barboza?
Barboza is competing in the Lightweight division, which means he won’t have to endure a severe weight cut—something that tends to be a significant challenge for fighters over 38. This might explain why he appeared a bit off in his match against Murphy.
The fight is scheduled for three rounds, allowing the 38-year-old fighter to approach it with a strong pace without having to conserve his energy. He possesses a remarkable ability to maintain a high pace for the first two rounds and still have enough cardio left for intermittent bursts of activity in the third. He remains an outstanding athlete.
We also believe that Barboza’s height and reach advantages will work in his favor. As a primarily kickboxing fighter, he excels on his feet, and we are excited to see how he performs at Lightweight against another formidable opponent.
Why Bet on Drakkar Klose?
Klose is coming off a horrible KO loss by Alvarez in the first round, and we haven’t exactly seen what Klose has improved on.However, there’s little doubt in our mind that we thought we were in for some quick level changes and solid downward pressure on the ground, but we saw none of that because of how quickly the fight ended.
What we know for certain is that the moment the fight starts, Klose will look to close the distance and pressure Barboza back to the fence, in which he will probably box a little before shooting for the waist of Barboza to get those takedowns going.
Final Betting Analysis: Edson Barboza vs. Drakkar Klose
Barboza is well aware of what to expect because he is experienced in this scenario. Klose will likely aim to disrupt Barboza’s peripheral vision with jabs, which will raise Barboza’s guard and create openings for takedowns. While Klose may find some success with this strategy, Barboza has the skill to shrimp back to his feet and create separation.
Ultimately, the first round will provide important insights into Klose’s game plan. However, we believe that Klose won’t simply try to stay expectant on Barboza. Instead, we expect Barboza to put up enough resistance to keep the fight standing and ultimately secure a victory.
UFC 319: Nursulton Ruziboev vs. Bryan Battle
Why Bet on Nursulton Ruziboev?
Ruziboev has primarily fought against lower-tier opponents and some of the weakest fighters in the division, aside from Buckley and possibly Ferreira. One striking feature about Ruziboev is his large frame, which he utilizes effectively in his offensive style. He has a quick head kick and typically delivers long strikes quite well. However, the issue arises when an opponent can close the distance; Ruziboev lacks any significant striking defense once an opponent gets inside his striking range.
His entire defense relies on keeping his opponent at arm’s length, and we think Battle is going to quickly find a way to work around that and get into range.
Why Bet on Bryan Battle?
Battle has great takedown instincts, and that is the most immediate thing that is screaming at us because we know that Ruziboev’s takedown defence is utter garbage.
Battle has been fighting at a relatively high level for quite some time and knows exactly what to do when the situation calls for it, and in this particular case we can’t help but think that we’re going to see a lot of mixing of the martial arts from Battle here, as he is ferocious when he lets his hands go.
Final Betting Analysis: Nursulton Ruziboev vs. Bryan Battle
If Ruziboev lands a strike on Battle, Battle will feel it because he sometimes has the most unconventional striking defense, rarely raising his guard, and often standing very square, making him highly available to be struck.
Now, Battle is a lot more durable in those kinds of moments than Ruziboev is, and we expect Battle to be a bit sharper with his in-the-pocket strikes, but there is still very much quite a lot of danger for both fighters when there is a collision between the two.
UFC 319: Karine Silva vs. Dione Barbosa
Why Bet on Karine Silva?
Silva is coming off a tough loss to Araujo, who effectively got the fight to the ground first. Although Silva put up a strong effort and demonstrated some good wrestling instincts, she fell short in this matchup.
We anticipate that Silva will stick to her typical fighting style this weekend, especially since Barbosa has shown some weaknesses in her takedown defense. This might be linked to Barbosa’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu background and her capability to fight effectively from her back.
Aside from Silva’s wrestling, her striking is fairly well-rounded. She possesses solid kickboxing skills and effective Muay Thai clinch strikes. We believe her knee strikes during clinch exchanges will be her main source of damage in the fight.
Why Bet on Dione Barbosa?
Barbosa is coming in on somewhat short notice, and while that may not significantly impact her performance, we believe that any fighter with a full training camp is likely to dominate the fight for as long as it lasts.
Barbosa tends to have a somewhat singular fighting style, primarily relying on her takedowns and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) to secure victories. However, since we expect her to be on her back for a considerable amount of time, we anticipate seeing a lot of setups for armbars or arm triangles—techniques she has previously felt comfortable executing.
Final Betting Analysis: Karine Silva vs. Dione Barbosa
We think we will see Silva on top of Barbosa, controlling the fight, landing ground and pound, and just wearing down the late replacement fighter.
If Barbosa does not get a submission and successfully land it, she will remain in the bottom position and still have a relatively fresh Silva on top of her.
Either way, we don’t see a clear way for Barbosa to win this outside of either finding a submission or being tricky enough to find a sweep or a reversal to a more dominant and controlling position.
UFC 319: Rodrigo Sezinando vs. Daniil Donchenko
Why Bet on Rodrigo Sezinando?
Rodrigo has made his way to the finals, but we believe the Brazilian fighter is in for a tough challenge. Nova Uniao has produced several skilled and talented fighters, which explains how Sezinando reached the finals. However, we feel that his skill set may not be sufficient to overwhelm or surprise his opponent.
Why Bet on Daniil Donchenko?
Donchenko is a Kazakhstan representative, and as such, we expect his wrestling pedigree to be two levels above what Sezinando is capable of handling.
As long as he can keep up the pace and avoid any submission attempt from the Nova Uniao fighter, we think that he will have a lot of success on the stand-up game, and is likely to send his opponent to sleep with his strikes.
Final Betting Analysis: Rodrigo Sezinando vs. Daniil Donchenko
This is bound to be a fun fight to wrap up the TUF tournament for their weight class, but we think that Daniil Donchenko will easily find the path to victory once they collide in the cage.
UFC 319: Alibi Idiris vs. Joseph Morales
Why Bet on Alibi Idiris?
Alibi Idiris arrives undefeated 10-0 and riding an impressive wave of momentum from “The Ultimate Fighter 33”, where he delivered a spectacular flying-knee knockout widely praised as “one of the sickest finishes” in the show’s history.
His blend of aggression and finishing instincts, coupled with his composure under pressure, makes him a formidable prospect heading into the TUF finale.
Why Bet on Joseph Morales?
Joseph “Bopo” Morales brings significant professional experience and maturity to the cage. A UFC veteran, Morales previously earned a Performance of the Night bonus for a first-round submission victory during his earlier stint in the promotion. He continued building momentum post-UFC, capturing titles and submitting top opponents in regional promotions. Morales’s well-rounded skill set, especially his grappling proficiency and seasoned octagon IQ, make him a tough and strategic adversary.
Final Betting Analysis: Alibi Idiris vs. Joseph Morales
It appears that Alibi is likely to emerge victorious, as he not only possesses strong wrestling skills but has also been more active overall, which has contributed positively to his performance in the TUF tournament. While Morales has been active as well, we believe that Alibi will look the best in the cage during this fight and will secure a finish in the second round.