UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis will put his belt on the line against unbeaten contender Khamzat Chimaev in the headline bout of UFC 319 at Chicago’s United Center on Saturday, Aug. 16. The arena is sold out for the promotion’s first return to the city in more than six years. At Friday’s official weigh-in Chimaev tipped the scales at 183 pounds, safely under the 185-pound limit, while du Plessis also made weight. Sportsbooks list the South African titleholder as a +200 underdog, with the Russian-born challenger favored at −250 despite never having fought for a UFC championship before. Du Plessis, 31, carries an 11-fight winning streak and a 23–2 record, having most recently defended the belt against Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland. Chimaev, also 31, is 14–0 and earned his shot by submitting Robert Whittaker at UFC 308, extending a run that has seen him record at least one takedown in seven of eight UFC appearances. UFC President Dana White called the matchup “one of the best fights we’ve had in a long time,” noting that it pits two athletes in their prime for a potential five-round contest. The card’s co-main event will feature unbeaten featherweight Lerone Murphy against former Bellator standout Aaron Pico.