The next UFC middleweight title contender could be decided today, when former champion Robert Whittaker welcomes Reinier de Ridder to the top ranks in Abu Dhabi

Reinier De Ridder eyes the winner of Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev title fight after defeating a former champion.

Dricus Du Plessis reveals he was the least prepared for his UFC debut than any other fight in his career 😲🫡 "I might have looked composed and smiling on the outside, but inside I was terrified. That fight meant as much to me as a title fight!" 🎥 @dricusduplessis pic.twitter.com/U0dS9C5qKS

This article was originally published on www.si.com/fannation/mma as UFC 319 receives massive surprise co-main fight. It looks like UFC 319's co-main event will feature a featherweight title eliminator, in the absence of No. 1-ranked Movsar Evloev.

Middleweight champion Du Plessis (23-2 MMA, 9-0 UFC) defends his title against Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) in the UFC 319 headliner on Aug. 16 from United Center in Chicago ( ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+).

A n unstoppable force and immovable object meet at UFC 319. Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev, two juggernauts undefeated in the promotion, clash for the middleweight crown on Aug. 16 in Chicago.

UFC 319 is set to light up Chicago on August 16 at the United Center, featuring an explosive main event between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev. Both men remain undefeated under the UFC banner,

There has been some discussion ahead of UFC 319 surrounding a supposed bet that Dricus du Plessis made to Khamzat Chimaev where he offered him money for every successful takedown.