The UFC middleweight championship wasn't built for Dricus du Plessis, he took it by force. That honor seemed reserved for Khamzat Chimaev, whom many deemed a future champion early on. Maybe that's why Du Plessis is a betting underdog at UFC 319 in Chicago.

Du Plessis enters UFC 319 as the defending champion, looking to complete a third defense. He won the belt from Sean Strickland in early 2024, and has since defended it twice – submitting Israel Adesanya, and outpointing Strickland again in a rematch.

UFC 319 will feature Dricus du Plessis entering the ring to defend his UFC middleweight title for the third time as Khamzat Chimaev challenges.