MMA Pros Make the Same Khamzat Chimaev Prediction for UFC 319
The MMA pros make the same prediction Khamzat Chimaev for the UFC 319 originally on Athlon Sports.
From the moment Khamzat Chimaev burst into the UFC and made his presence felt with a dominant beginning, it seemed inevitable that he was fighting one day for a championship. It took a little more time than some expected, but this moment has finally arrived.
Chimaev is now on the verge of capture gold at 185 pounds, with the ratings and a large part of the fans base supporting it to do so. But through the cage will be a champion who has already proven himself against some of the most difficult names in the division, defending his belt many times. And while the media threw and figures can promote Chimaev, many fighters and analysts think that the champion has not yet achieved his history.
During the post-weigh press conference, Dustin Poirier, Michael Chiesa, Anthony Smith and Chael Sonnen sat to break the UFC 319 card and of course, most of the discussions were centered on the main event between Plessis and Chimaev.
The four admitted that in the past, they could have underestimated Plessis, but many times, he proved that he could take up the most difficult challenges in 185 pounds. His clumsy and unorthodox style combined with a well -balanced set of skills makes him dangerous, no matter which is on the other side of the cage.
They also pointed out that Chimaev, despite all his media threw, showed cracks with his fuel tank. Although he has brought a new strength and packaging coach to remedy it, there are still concerns about whether he can go deep in a fight at this level. With all this in mind, the panel accepted: they stick to the champion.
A more in -depth examination of the main event at the UFC 319
The UFC 319 has all the emissions of a classic. In the main event, the average weight champion of Plessis seeks to defend his belt for the third time when he meets the undefeated competitor Chimaev in Chicago. On paper, it is the ultimate shock of styles: Plessis with its capacity for typing, grain and unpredictable prouvance to cause adversaries in deep waters, against the suffocating struggle and the implacable pace of Chimaev.
The South African has already silenced many skeptics on the top of the top, but is once again like the oppressed. Chimaev, on the other hand, comes as a favorite of the bets, the fans expecting what he imposes his game early. The real question is what is happening if the fight extends in the last laps. Can the Chimaev petrol tank resist under pressure from the championship, or will the clumsy rhythm of Du Plessis make the trend? Anyway, it’s a match that seems too close to call.
Related: the popularity of Khamzat Chimaev is reached new heights in front of the UFC 319
This story was initially reported by Athlon Sports on August 16, 2025, where it appeared for the first time.
