Darren Till knocked out former UFC champion Luke Rockhold in devastating fashion in the Misfits B...

<p>Darren Till knocked out former UFC champion Luke Rockhold in devastating fashion in the Misfits Boxing 22 main event Saturday in Manchester, England.</p><p>The finish came at the 1:08 mark of the third round.</p><p>Till dropped Rockhold late in the first round and then unleashed a vicious combination that put him to sleep in the third.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">DARREN TILL JUST SLEPT LUKE ROCKHOLD!!!<br><br>OH MY GODDDD <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/XSeries22?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#XSeries22</a><a href="https://t.co/Uf91CYDF71">pic.twitter.com/Uf91CYDF71</a></p>— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChampRDS/status/1961923151484334436?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Till, a former UFC title challenger, improved to 3-0 since his Misfits Boxing debut earlier this year. He beat Anthony Taylor by TKO in January and then took home a unanimous decision over former UFC fighter Darren Stewart in May.</p><p>Till, 32, parted ways with the UFC in 2023 after eight years. The Liverpool native challenged Tyron Woodley for the welterweight title in 2018 but lost by submission. He left the promotion on a three-fight losing streak, though two of those losses were against former champions Dricus Du Plessis and Robert Whittaker. Till's most recent MMA victory came in November 2019.</p><p>Rockhold was making his Misfits Boxing debut. The 40-year-old retired from MMA in August 2022 after a loss to Paulo Costa at UFC 278, though he's bounced between various combat sports since then. Rockhold lost to Mike Perry in a bare-knuckle boxing match in 2023 and beat Joe Schilling in a Karate Combat bout in 2024.</p>

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Darren Till punches Luke Rockhold during the Light Heavyweight fight between Darren Till and Luke Rockhold during the Misfits 22 - Ring of Thrones fight night at AO Arena on August 30, 2025 in Manchester, England.

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Till brutally KOs Rockhold at Misfits Boxing 22

"El Cucuy" is back.  Former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson was victorious in his ...

<p>"El Cucuy" is back.</p><p>Former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson was victorious in his boxing debut, earning a TKO win over Salt Papi at Misfits Boxing 22 on Saturday in Manchester, England.</p><p>The finish, which came at the 2:43 mark of the third round, was Ferguson's first combat sports win in over six years.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">TONY FERGUSON FINISHES SALT PAPI IN THE THIRD!!!<br><br>OH MY GODDDD <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/XSeries22?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#XSeries22</a><a href="https://t.co/jFVjK7Ei6s">pic.twitter.com/jFVjK7Ei6s</a></p>— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChampRDS/status/1961914166421115277?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Ferguson, 41, got his hand raised for the first time since June 2019 when he defeated Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone via TKO at UFC 238. He parted ways with the UFC earlier this year on the heels of a historic eight-fight losing streak.</p><p>Ferguson had a slow start to his boxing debut. Salt Papi controlled the action early, landing a few left hooks and backing Ferguson up with a solid punch. However, Ferguson turned his offense up a notch in the second round and then took over in the third. He put pressure on Salt Papi and landed punches against the ropes. With just seconds left in the round, Ferguson began teeing off with heavy shots to force a referee stoppage.</p><p>After the win, Ferguson expressed interest in facing MMA star Dillon Danis, who earned a 15-second submission victory over Warren Spencer earlier on Saturday's card.</p><p>Ferguson was one of MMA's top fighters in his prime. His 12-fight winning streak spanning 2013-19 is tied for the second longest in UFC lightweight history. The California native held the promotion's interim 155-pound title from 2017-18 and beat the likes of Anthony Pettis, Rafael dos Anjos, and Edson Barboza.</p><p>Salt Papi, a 31-year-old boxing influencer, fell to 4-3 in the Misfits ring.</p>

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Tony Ferguson punches Nathaniel Bustamant during the Middleweight fight between Tony Ferguson and Nathaniel Bustamante during the Misfits 22 - Ring of Thrones fight night at AO Arena on August 30, 2025 in Manchester, England.

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Ferguson TKOs Salt Papi in 3rd round of boxing debut

Featherweight contenders Josh Emmett and Youssef Zalal will square off on the UFC 320 main card O...

<p>Featherweight contenders Josh Emmett and Youssef Zalal will square off on the UFC 320 main card Oct. 4 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the promotion announced Saturday.</p><p>Emmett is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Lerone Murphy in an April main event. The 40-year-old is 1-3 in his last four Octagon appearances, and his lone win during that stretch was a brutal knockout of Bryce Mitchell in December 2023. Emmett is ranked No. 8 in the division.</p><p>Zalal, a rising contender who's ranked No. 9, is riding a seven-fight winning streak. "The Moroccan Devil" most recently earned a unanimous decision over Calvin Kattar in February. Zalal, 28, returned to the UFC for a second stint last year and has since gone 4-0.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>UFC 320 will feature a light heavyweight title rematch between champion Magomed Ankalaev and former champ Alex Pereira, as well as a bantamweight title bout between champion Merab Dvalishvili and Cory Sandhagen.</p>

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 16: Josh Emmett enters the Octagon in a featherweight fight during the UFC 296 event at T-Mobile Arena on December 16, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Emmett-Zalal added to UFC 320 main card

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson wasn't impressed with his team's offense at the start of Fri...

<p>Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson wasn't impressed with his team's offense at the start of Friday's preseason win over the Kansas City Chiefs.</p><p>The Bears' backups had to overcome a 17-point second-half deficit to beat the Chiefs 29-27 at Arrowhead Stadium.</p><p>"Offensively, the first two possessions (were) really sloppy football that has plagued us in and out of camp so far," Johnson said postgame, according to <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/46054803/bears-ben-johnson-slams-sloppy-offense-not-good-enough">ESPN's Courtney Cronin</a>. "And unfortunately, that's what we got here tonight."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Chicago tallied 22 yards on its first two drives of the game, both ending in punts. </p><p>During the first drive, quarterback <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/199760" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/199760">Caleb Williams</a> fumbled an exchange with wide receiver <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/99552" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/99552">Olamide Zaccheaus</a>, and tight end <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/209919" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/209919">Colston Loveland</a> was flagged for a false start. During the second possession, Williams held onto the ball for almost six seconds before taking a sack from Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones.</p><p>Johnson said he was disappointed with the team's offensive issues because he believed "we had worked our way out of that."</p><p>"If the first quarter was really any indication, it's not good enough, so we got to get better in a hurry," Johnson said. "Good news is we will be able to look at this tape and coach it up with our guys, and I think it's out of our system, hopefully, for us going into the regular season. We got to make sure that we start faster on offense and on defense."</p><p>Backup quarterback <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/188930" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/188930">Tyson Bagent</a> entered the game in the second half. He went 20-of-28 for 212 yards and three touchdowns, completing the comeback with a walk-off throw to rookie <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/210736" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/210736">Jahdae Walker</a>. Bagent signed a two-year, $10-million extension worth up to $16 million with incentives earlier in the week.</p><p>The Bears host the Minnesota Vikings in their season opener Sept. 8.</p>

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - AUGUST 22: Ben Johnson, head coach of the Chicago Bears, watches the game in the fourth quarter during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Chicago Bears and Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.

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Bears' Johnson rips 'sloppy' offense: 'Not good enough'

Johnny Walker walked into enemy territory and earned a TKO finish of Zhang Mingyang in the UFC Sh...

<p>Johnny Walker walked into enemy territory and earned a TKO finish of Zhang Mingyang in the UFC Shanghai main event Saturday at the Shanghai Indoor Stadium.</p><p>Walker dropped Zhang with a calf kick and then finished him with devastating ground-and-pound. The light heavyweight bout ended at the 2:37 mark of the second round.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Johnny Walker beat the shit out of Zhang came out of no where 🤯🔥 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFCShaghai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFCShaghai</a> <a href="https://t.co/CvkA57sCt8">pic.twitter.com/CvkA57sCt8</a></p>— Unbiasedbox2 (@Unbiasedbox2) <a href="https://twitter.com/Unbiasedbox2/status/1959233779337490433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Walker, who was nearly a 3-1 underdog on theScore Bet and ESPN BET, snapped a three-fight winless streak and picked up his first victory since May 2023.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Zhang had a strong start to the fight. He got on top of Walker five seconds into the opening round, reversing an ill-advised takedown attempt. Walker returned to his feet, but Zhang did the much better work in the stand-up department, tagging the Brazilian with a heavy right hand and an elbow.</p><p>But Walker changed the course of the fight in the second round. He cracked Zhang with a heavy leg kick that gave the Chinese fighter no choice but to collapse to the mat. Walker swarmed him with ground-and-pound, landing punches as Zhang covered up. Referee Marc Goddard gave Zhang several moments to try to improve position, but Walker continued to pummel Zhang with punches and eventually Goddard had to step in.</p><p>Walker returned to the Octagon for the first time since he suffered a first-round knockout loss to Volkan Oezdemir in June 2024. After the victory, the 33-year-old said he wants to face former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz next.</p><p>Zhang, 27, suffered his first loss in the promotion. He began his Octagon career with three straight first-round finishes, including a TKO of Anthony Smith in April.</p>

SHANGHAI, CHINA - AUGUST 23: (L-R) Johnny Walker of Brazil punches Zhang Mingyang of China in a light heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Shanghai Indoor Stadium on August 23, 2025 in Shanghai, China.

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Walker stuns Zhang with TKO in UFC Shanghai main event

Aljamain Sterling defeated Brian Ortega via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) in the UFC S...

<p>Aljamain Sterling defeated Brian Ortega via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) in the UFC Shanghai co-main event Saturday at the Shanghai Indoor Stadium.</p><p>The fight was contested at a 153-pound catchweight after Ortega was unable to make the featherweight limit at Friday's weigh-ins.</p><p>Sterling dominated Ortega from start to finish in what was largely a stand-up affair. He controlled the action on the feet, picking his opponent apart with punches and kicks from a distance. Sterling outlanded Ortega 100-45 in significant strikes.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Sterling, who's known for his wrestling, didn't look for a takedown until the second half of the fight. He got Ortega to the ground in the fourth and fifth rounds. Sterling put a stamp on the performance with a rear-naked choke attempt and heavy ground-and-pound in the final moments of the contest.</p><p>After the win, Sterling, a former bantamweight champion, called for a title shot against featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski. Ortega and Sterling were ranked Nos. 5 and 7 coming in, respectively.</p><p>"I think I did my damn thing against a really tough dude who fought for the belt twice," Sterling said in his postfight interview. "Respect, Volkanovski is the f-----g man, but I would love an opportunity to fight for the belt again."</p><p>Sterling is 2-1 since moving up to the featherweight division last year. The 36-year-old beat Calvin Kattar in his 145-pound debut at UFC 300 but then came up short against No. 1-ranked contender Movsar Evloev at UFC 310 last December.</p><p>Ortega, a former title challenger, is riding a two-fight losing streak and is 1-4 in his last five Octagon appearances. The 34-year-old has won just one fight in nearly five years.</p>

SHANGHAI, CHINA - AUGUST 23: (L-R) Aljamain Sterling punches Brian Ortega in a 153-pound catchweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Shanghai Indoor Stadium on August 23, 2025 in Shanghai, China.

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Sterling shuts out Ortega, calls for title shot

The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) suspended former UFC middleweight champion Sean Stric...

<p>The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) suspended former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland for six months for his involvement in a post-fight altercation with a fighter at an MMA event in June.</p><p>The suspension is retroactive to June 29, the date of the incident, and will end Dec. 29. However, Strickland can have it reduced to four and a half months if he completes an anger management course. He also received a $5,000 fine.</p><p>The incident occurred at Tuff-N-Uff 145 in Las Vegas, where Strickland was cornering teammate Miles Hunsinger. Strickland stormed the cage and threw multiple punches at Luis Hernandez after Hernandez submitted Hunsinger and started taunting his corner.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>UFC welterweight Chris Curtis was also in Hunsinger's corner and went after Hernandez but didn't throw a punch. The NSAC fined Curtis $2,500 for his role in the altercation.</p><p>Strickland is coming off a unanimous decision loss to then-middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312 in February.</p>

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 09: Sean Strickland prepares to face Dricus Du Plessis of South Africa in the UFC middleweight championship fight during the UFC 312 event at Qudos Bank Arena on February 09, 2025 in Sydney, Australia.

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NSAC suspends Strickland 6 months for altercation

Highly touted bantamweight prospect Raul Rosas Jr. will receive the biggest test of his career wh...

<p>Highly touted bantamweight prospect Raul Rosas Jr. will receive the biggest test of his career when he faces Rob Font at Noche UFC on Sept. 13 in San Antonio.</p><p>The promotion announced the matchup Wednesday.</p><p>Rosas is coming off a unanimous decision win over Vince Morales in March. The 20-year-old Mexican-American is riding a four-fight winning streak and is 5-1 in the UFC overall. Rosas made his Octagon debut in 2022 after an appearance on Dana White's Contender Series.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Font, the No. 9-ranked bantamweight contender, has won two in a row, earning decisions over Jean Matsumoto and Kyler Phillips. The 38-year-old is 3-2 in his last five outings dating back to 2023.</p><p>In the Noche UFC main event, Diego Lopes and Jean Silva will meet in a pivotal featherweight bout.</p>

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - MARCH 29: Raul Rosas Jr. reacts after a victory against Vince Morales in a bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at CDMX Arena on March 29, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico.

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Font-Rosas added to Noche UFC card

Khamzat Chimaev captured the UFC middleweight championship Saturday night, annihilating Dricus Du...

<p>Khamzat Chimaev captured the UFC middleweight championship Saturday night, annihilating Dricus Du Plessis en route to a unanimous decision victory in the UFC 319 main event in Chicago.</p><p>In the co-headliner, Lerone Murphy spoiled former Bellator star Aaron Pico's Octagon debut, knocking him out in the first round with a spinning back elbow.</p><p>Here are four takeaways from the pay-per-view event.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Stopping Chimaev might be impossible</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797881/cropped_GettyImages-2230533404.jpg?ts=1755461503" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797881/w220xh124_GettyImages-2230533404.jpg?ts=1755461503 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797881/w320xh180_GettyImages-2230533404.jpg?ts=1755461503 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797881/w640xh360_GettyImages-2230533404.jpg?ts=1755461503 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797881/w768xh432_GettyImages-2230533404.jpg?ts=1755461503 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797881/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2230533404.jpg?ts=1755461503 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Cooper Neill / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Chimaev was favored to beat Du Plessis - and we've known for a long time that he's a special talent - but I don't think anyone could've imagined a dominant performance like this.</p><p>Chimaev put on a grappling showcase for the ages. It took him no longer than 30 seconds to get on top of Du Plessis in each round. He completed 12 takedowns, compiled 21:40 of control time, and shattered the record for most strikes landed in a UFC fight (529). And he did all of this against the reigning, defending middleweight champion.</p><p>Du Plessis was never in the driver's seat, except for maybe 10 seconds in the fifth round when he went for a Hail Mary rear-naked choke that Chimaev easily fended off. It was the definition of one-way traffic.</p><p>It was also the kind of performance that made you feel bad for every other middleweight vying for a title shot, from Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho to Reinier de Ridder and Anthony "Fluffy" Hernandez, because their chances of becoming a UFC champion in the foreseeable future just plummeted. It truly feels like Chimaev might be unbeatable in this weight class. The mix of relentless grappling and solid striking makes him a nightmare matchup for literally everybody. A title shot might be more of a punishment now than it is a reward.</p><p>The nice thing is that there are a bunch of fresh matchups out there for Chimaev, since he's fought just two people in the top 15. Now it's on the rest of the division to prove Chimaev is, in fact, human.</p><h3>Massive KO exactly what Murphy needed</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797882/cropped_GettyImages-2230531120.jpg?ts=1755461514" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797882/w220xh124_GettyImages-2230531120.jpg?ts=1755461514 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797882/w320xh180_GettyImages-2230531120.jpg?ts=1755461514 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797882/w640xh360_GettyImages-2230531120.jpg?ts=1755461514 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797882/w768xh432_GettyImages-2230531120.jpg?ts=1755461514 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797882/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2230531120.jpg?ts=1755461514 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Geoff Stellfox / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Murphy has struggled to gain popularity for his entire career despite his success in the Octagon. He's always been one of those talented, unsung fighters. A dark horse. Murphy has never lost a fight and is solid everywhere, but he doesn't have many highlights. He's not particularly great on the mic. He's never been someone the UFC has rushed to give a title shot.</p><p>But all of that may change after his Knockout of the Year candidate against Pico.</p><p>This win was exactly what Murphy needed to get his flowers. All eyes were on Pico, a former Bellator contender who was making his long-awaited UFC debut, and Murphy stole his thunder with a vicious spinning back elbow to the head.</p><p>He even had featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski calling <em>him </em>out for a fight later this year:</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">See you in December <a href="https://twitter.com/LeroneMurphy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LeroneMurphy</a> congrats <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ufc319?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ufc319</a></p>— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) <a href="https://twitter.com/alexvolkanovski/status/1956927492092051515?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Murphy pulled out all the stops on the biggest stage of his career so far, and there's a good chance it was enough to lock up an unlikely, but deserved, crack at the belt.</p><h3>Free-agent signings continue to underdeliver</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797883/cropped_GettyImages-2230531497.jpg?ts=1755461552" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797883/w220xh124_GettyImages-2230531497.jpg?ts=1755461552 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797883/w320xh180_GettyImages-2230531497.jpg?ts=1755461552 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797883/w640xh360_GettyImages-2230531497.jpg?ts=1755461552 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797883/w768xh432_GettyImages-2230531497.jpg?ts=1755461552 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797883/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2230531497.jpg?ts=1755461552 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Geoff Stellfox / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Pico's UFC debut couldn't have gone much worse.</p><p>He started fast and aggressive, but that ended up being his kryptonite. Murphy caught him coming in, and that was all she wrote.</p><p>On his best night, Pico is a supremely skilled, athletically gifted fighter who can beat most of the division. He's faced adversity and has bounced back before, so I have no doubt he'll do the same here. But it's also fair to at least wonder what this loss means for his future.</p><p>Pico isn't the only recent free-agent signing who took a bad loss Saturday. Former Rizin FF bantamweight champion Kai Asakura fell to 0-2 in the UFC after Tim Elliott choked him out in a big upset. The ground game was once again Asakura's weakness, just like in his debut loss to flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 310 last December. The Japanese fighter was supposed to be a huge addition to the UFC's 125-pound division, and now he's one loss away from being a complete bust.</p><p>Pico's and Asakura's losses are part of a wider trend this year of free agents failing to deliver in the UFC. Former Bellator champions Patricio "Pitbull" Freire and Patchy Mix also lost their UFC debuts. (Freire has since won a fight, moving to 1-1.) The only recent addition from Bellator who has lived up to the hype is Michael "Venom" Page, who defeated Jared Cannonier at UFC 319 to lift his Octagon record to 3-1.</p><h3>Prates back on track in a big way</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797884/cropped_GettyImages-2230528598.jpg?ts=1755461570" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797884/w220xh124_GettyImages-2230528598.jpg?ts=1755461570 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797884/w320xh180_GettyImages-2230528598.jpg?ts=1755461570 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797884/w640xh360_GettyImages-2230528598.jpg?ts=1755461570 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797884/w768xh432_GettyImages-2230528598.jpg?ts=1755461570 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797884/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2230528598.jpg?ts=1755461570 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Geoff Stellfox / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>If your goal is to make people forget about a disappointing loss (in this case, to Ian Machado Garry at UFC Kansas City in April), crushing your next opponent with a spinning back elbow is a damn good way to do it.</p><p>Carlos Prates filed his own entry for Knockout of the Year at Geoff Neal's expense, sending "Handz of Steel" to the shadow realm with one second left in the first round. Prates is now 5-1 in the UFC, and just like that, momentum is back on his side.</p>

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UFC 319 takeaways: Can anybody beat Chimaev?

UFC middleweight contender Anthony "Fluffy" Hernandez is confident he can halt Khamzat Chimaev's ...

<p>UFC middleweight contender Anthony "Fluffy" Hernandez is confident he can halt Khamzat Chimaev's reign.</p><p>Hernandez said Saturday night after Chimaev <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3326262" href="https://thescore.com/news/3326262">dominated</a> Dricus Du Plessis to capture the 185-pound title at UFC 319 in Chicago that he believes he'd "drown" Chimaev in the Octagon.</p><p>"Call me for the fight," Hernandez told <a href="https://x.com/CCLegaspi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1956976827571851670%7Ctwgr%5E7db022c929cd8d7ba7c7169ce43d2a83da878fe6%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmmajunkie.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fufc%2F2025%2F08%2F17%2Fufc-319-anthony-hernandez-opinion-prediction-new-middleweight-champ-khamzat-chimaev-drown-him%2F85697862007%2F">ESPN Deportes' Carlos Contreras Legaspi</a>. "I can wrestle, I can do jiu-jitsu, I can stop all his shit, and I can shut him down. With my gas tank, I'll drown him, I promise. I'll make him f-----g work.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"So, call me, keep me in mind, guys, and I think you guys will have a new f-----g Mexican-American champion."</p><p>The UFC has yet to determine Chimaev's next opponent, though Hernandez could be in the running for a title shot. The No. 7-ranked middleweight delivered his own dominant performance in last weekend's UFC Fight Night main event, submitting Roman Dolidze in the fourth round. Hernandez, 31, has won eight in a row and is unbeaten since 2020.</p><p>Chimaev has expressed interest in making a quick turnaround to defend his belt at UFC 321 on Oct. 25 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.</p>

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 09: (R-L) Anthony Hernandez elbows Roman Dolidze of Georgia in a middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on August 09, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Hernandez says he'd 'drown' Chimaev in fight

UFC CEO Dana White didn't expect newly crowned middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev to destroy D...

<p>UFC CEO Dana White didn't expect newly crowned middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev to destroy Dricus Du Plessis the way he did at UFC 319.</p><p>Chimaev smothered Du Plessis on the ground in all five rounds, completing 12 takedowns and outstriking him 529-45 to win a lopsided unanimous decision in Saturday's main event in Chicago.</p><p>"In the leadup to this fight, I said, 'I bet the main event is the Fight of the Night.' Didn't see that coming, but not shocked either," White <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucTenLAAfhE">said</a> of Chimaev's dominant performance at the postfight press conference. "I mean, you go in and dominate the way that he dominated, you do it the first round, more than likely you can do it the second and throughout the rest of the fight."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Chimaev was favored to win the 185-pound title at UFC 319, but many believed Du Plessis was poised to give the 31-year-old Chechen the toughest test of his career. Du Plessis, who was undefeated in the promotion until Saturday and had defended the belt twice, has a strong gas tank and the ability to wear on his opponents in deep waters.</p><p>In the end, though, Chimaev delivered one of the most dominant performances ever in a title fight. Now that "Borz" is the middleweight champion, White is curious to see if his popularity will reach new heights.</p><p>"Yeah, he's a big star now," White said when asked if Chimaev could become the biggest star in MMA. "He's a big star. When you're asking me, 'How much bigger can he be?' I don't know, we'll see. But he's already a big star."</p><p>White added: "When we were on Fight Island (in 2020), (Chimaev) said, 'I want to fight next Saturday.' Ever since then, the guy's been a rocket ship. ... People love him."</p><p>The UFC CEO also praised Du Plessis for hanging tough throughout the fight.</p><p>"Getting dominated on the ground and punched in the face and elbowed, it's a very frustrating place to be," White said. "I thought he handled it well. He came out every round trying to get in the fight and trying to win. Impressive."</p>

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 16: UFC CEO Dana White places a middleweight title belt on Khamzat Chimaev of the United Arab Emirates after Chimaev's unanimous decision victory against Dricus du Plessis of South Africa, not pictured, in UFC 319 at the United Center on August 16, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.

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White reacts to Chimaev's dominance at UFC 319: 'Didn't see that coming'

The Khamzat Chimaev era has finally begun.  Chimaev defeated Dricus Du Plessis via unanimous deci...

<p>The Khamzat Chimaev era has finally begun.</p><p>Chimaev defeated Dricus Du Plessis via unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-44) to capture the middleweight championship in the UFC 319 main event Saturday night at United Center in Chicago.</p><p>Chimaev delivered one of the most dominant performances in title-fight history. He smothered Du Plessis on the ground for almost the entire bout, leaving his opponent little room to breathe. Chimaev completed 12 of 17 takedowns and amassed 21:40 of control time. He outlanded Du Plessis 529-45 in total strikes and 37-13 in significant strikes.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"I don't ever have a game plan," Chimaev said in his postfight interview. "Just go in and work like I do in the gym. That guy is strong. (I) couldn't finish (him). Respect that guy. The only champion who was saying my name."</p><p>Chimaev remained undefeated with the victory, improving to 9-0 in the UFC and 15-0 as a professional.</p><p>Du Plessis praised Chimaev after the impressive showing.</p><p>"The man has incredible control on the top," Du Plessis said. "He was just like a blanket. It wasn't just a matter of strength. He wasn't that physical. It was almost as if he knew what your next move was gonna be. ... I had to decide, 'Am I gonna be on my back or have him on my back?'"</p><p>The 31-year-old Chechen took the sport by storm when he made his Octagon debut in 2020, with many predicting he would win a championship within a year or two. However, it took Chimaev far longer to reach a title shot than anyone would've imagined, largely due to factors outside of the cage. Illnesses, injuries, and visa issues slowed down his rise; Chimaev fought just once in three of the last four years.</p><p>But when Chimaev has made it to fight night, he's been nothing short of dominant - and that couldn't have been truer than on Saturday.</p><p>Chimaev scored his first takedown 10 seconds into the opening round, and that was just a sign of what was to come. He applied heavy top pressure and trapped Du Plessis in a crucifix. Chimaev remained on top for almost the entire round.</p><p>Chimaev took Du Plessis down just seconds into Rounds 2, 3, and 4 as well. Du Plessis offered minimal resistance while defending takedowns and was unable to do much off his back. Chimaev ragdolled Du Plessis for long stretches, advancing to full mount, trapping him in a crucifix again, and taking his back.</p><p>Chimaev's most dominant round was the third in which he landed a few heavy elbows and also attempted a rear-naked choke. All three judges gave him a 10-8 in that frame.</p><p>Du Plessis had a small window of opportunity in the fifth round when he got on top of Chimaev midway through but lost the position while going for a guillotine choke. Du Plessis caught Chimaev with a solid right hand. He got on top of Chimaev again later in the round and almost trapped him in a rear-naked choke, but Chimaev defended it.</p><p>"I went for it, had the back," Du Plessis said of his late rally. "I could almost taste that victory. But big ups to Khamzat. He deserves this 100%."</p><p>Du Plessis suffered the first loss of his Octagon career and first defeat since 2018, ending his 11-fight winning streak.</p><p>The 31-year-old South African captured the middleweight title in January 2024 and successfully defended it twice, beating former champions Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland. The loss to Chimaev dropped him to 9-1 in the promotion and 23-3 overall.</p>

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 16: Khamzat Chimaev of the United Arab Emirates grapples with Dricus du Plessis of South Africa during their middleweight title bout in UFC 319 at the United Center on August 16, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.

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Chimaev mauls Du Plessis to win UFC middleweight title

Lerone Murphy spoiled Aaron Pico's UFC debut in brutal fashion, knocking out the former Bellator ...

<p>Lerone Murphy spoiled Aaron Pico's UFC debut in brutal fashion, knocking out the former Bellator star with a spinning back elbow in the UFC 319 co-main event Saturday night at United Center in Chicago.</p><p>The finish came at the 3:21 mark of the first round. It was the second straight spinning-back-elbow knockout on the card - and the 10th in UFC history - after Carlos Prates <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3326223" href="https://thescore.com/news/3326223">finished</a> Geoff Neal with the same move.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FEurosport%2Fvideos%2F24260453323608528%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=476&amp;t=0" width="476" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></figure><p>Pico overwhelmed Murphy early in the fight, putting pressure on the Englishman and landing punches in the pocket. He also scored a takedown two minutes into the round.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>But in the end, Pico's aggressiveness caught up to him. As he was walking forward, Murphy clocked Pico with a spinning back elbow, resulting in the highlight-reel finish.</p><p>Murphy, the No. 6-ranked featherweight, improved to 17-0-1 as a professional. After the victory, he called for a title shot against champion Alexander Volkanovski.</p><p>Pico signed with the UFC earlier this year after parting ways with the PFL. He fell to a career 13-5.</p>

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 16: Lerone Murphy of England knocks out Aaron Pico in a featherweight fight during the UFC 319 event at the United Center on August 16, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.

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Murphy spoils Pico's UFC debut with devastating KO

Carlos Prates delivered a Knockout of the Year candidate at UFC 319.  The welterweight contender ...

<p>Carlos Prates delivered a Knockout of the Year candidate at UFC 319.</p><p>The welterweight contender brutally finished off Geoff Neal with a spinning back elbow to beat the buzzer at the 4:59 mark of the first round Saturday night in Chicago.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FEurosport%2Fvideos%2F1125457096106918%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=476&amp;t=0" width="476" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></figure><p>It's the ninth spinning-back-elbow knockout in UFC history, according to the broadcast.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Prates bounced back from the first loss of his UFC career, a unanimous decision defeat to Ian Machado Garry at UFC Kansas City in April. The 32-year-old Brazilian is now 5-1 in the promotion, with all of his wins coming by knockout.</p><p>In his postfight interview, Prates said he wants to face former welterweight champion Leon Edwards next.</p><p>Neal returned to the Octagon for the first time since UFC 308 last October when he defeated former lightweight champ Rafael dos Anjos. The 34-year-old is 1-3 in his last four outings.</p>

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 16: Carlos Prates of Brazil yells prior to his welterweight bout in UFC 319 at the United Center on August 16, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.

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Prates KOs Neal with spinning back elbow at UFC 319

Baisangur Susurkaev has had quite the week.  The middleweight prospect was victorious in his UFC ...

<p>Baisangur Susurkaev has had quite the week.</p><p>The middleweight prospect was victorious in his UFC debut Saturday night, just four days after earning a contract on Dana White's Contender Series. Susurkaev submitted Eric Nolan in the second round of the UFC 319 featured prelim at United Center in Chicago.</p><p>Susurkaev signed with the promotion after scoring a highlight-reel finish of Murtaza Talha on Tuesday in Las Vegas. The 24-year-old Russian now has two wins in the last five days.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Susurkaev lost the first round on all three judges' scorecards after Nolan rocked him late in the frame. But Susurkaev quickly turned the tide in the second, battering Nolan with leg kicks before getting on top and sinking in a rear-naked choke.</p><p>The win lifted Susurkaev's professional MMA record to 10-0. This was his third win of the year. Susurkaev began competing in the sport as a pro in 2019.</p><p>Nolan, a former CFFC welterweight champion, was also making his Octagon debut. The 27-year-old's four-fight winning streak came to an end. His record now sits at 8-4.</p>

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 16: Baisangur Susurkaev of Russia reacts after a submission victory against Eric Nolan in a middleweight fight during the UFC 319 event at the United Center on August 16, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.

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Susurkaev taps Nolan in UFC debut for 2nd win this week

Rising heavyweight Moses Itauma ran through Dillian Whyte to earn the biggest win of his career. ...

<p>Rising heavyweight Moses Itauma ran through Dillian Whyte to earn the biggest win of his career.</p><p>Itauma knocked out Whyte at the 1:59 mark of the first round in a DAZN pay-per-view main event Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Well it was good while it lasted Moses Itauma stops Dillian Whyte in the 1st rd😭😭😂🤯 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhyteItauma?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WhyteItauma</a> <a href="https://t.co/9h1IEL7Oxd">pic.twitter.com/9h1IEL7Oxd</a></p>— Unbiasedbox2 (@Unbiasedbox2) <a href="https://twitter.com/Unbiasedbox2/status/1956832448702243116?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The 20-year-old stayed undefeated, lifting his professional record to 13-0.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Itauma immediately displayed an edge in speed. He put pressure on Whyte and ripped hard shots to his body. Itauma wobbled Whyte with a series of punches and finally dropped him with about 70 seconds left in the round. Whyte appeared to be OK, but he staggered into his corner as he tried to stand up and the referee waved off the fight. Whyte immediately protested the stoppage.</p><p>Itauma, a Slovakian-born Englishman, is one of the hottest prospects in boxing. He holds 11 knockouts in 13 pro wins, eight of which ended in the first round.</p><p>Whyte, a former WBC interim heavyweight champion, fell to a career 31-4. The 37-year-old Englishman came in riding a three-fight winning streak and hadn't lost since facing Tyson Fury in 2022.</p>

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - AUGUST 16: Moses Itauma punches Dillian Whyte during the WBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight title fight between Moses Itauma and Dillian Whyte on the ESports World Cup fight night at the ANB arena on August 16, 2025 in Riyadh, .

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Itauma KOs Whyte in under 2 minutes to stay undefeated

theScore's Nick Baldwin makes his picks for the UFC 319 main-card bouts ahead of Saturday's event...

<p><em>theScore's Nick Baldwin makes his picks for the UFC 319 main-card bouts ahead of Saturday's event in Chicago.</em></p><h3>Middleweight championship</h3><p><strong>Dricus Du Plessis (23-2)<br>vs.<br>Khamzat Chimaev (14-0)</strong></p><p>One of the most anticipated fights of the year is here. Khamzat Chimaev will finally challenge for a title five years into his UFC career, taking on middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis in what's expected to be his toughest test to date.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>What makes this matchup so exciting is its unpredictability. Chimaev could shoot a takedown and choke Du Plessis out in the first minute, and no one would be surprised. Du Plessis could survive the early storm and wear Chimaev down in the later rounds, and no one would be surprised. There are a bunch of ways it could go.</p><p>The fact that Du Plessis and Chimaev are a combined 17-0 in the UFC (and 37-2 overall) helps, too. These are two middleweight juggernauts meeting at the height of their powers. Du Plessis is an immovable object (he always wins, no matter how often it might look like he's trying to lose), and Chimaev is an unstoppable force. One of those things will no longer be true after Saturday.</p><p>Du Plessis' unorthodox style has done him wonders throughout his career, making it tempting to pick him for the upset. But Chimaev won't be denied a UFC title. Round 1 Chimaev might be the best fighter in MMA, and he'll put the pressure on Du Plessis early and maul him.</p><p><strong>The pick: </strong>Chimaev, first-round submission</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797640/cropped_GettyImages-1748811223.jpg?ts=1755282474" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797640/w220xh124_GettyImages-1748811223.jpg?ts=1755282474 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797640/w320xh180_GettyImages-1748811223.jpg?ts=1755282474 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797640/w640xh360_GettyImages-1748811223.jpg?ts=1755282474 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797640/w768xh432_GettyImages-1748811223.jpg?ts=1755282474 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797640/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1748811223.jpg?ts=1755282474 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Chris Unger / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><h3>Featherweight bout</h3><p><strong>Lerone Murphy (16-0-1)<br>vs.<br>Aaron Pico (13-4)</strong></p><p>The UFC isn't doing Aaron Pico any favors with this debut matchup against Lerone Murphy.</p><p>There's rightfully a lot of hype surrounding Pico's first Octagon appearance, as he was a top contender in Bellator and could receive a title shot with a win. There's also a good chance Murphy plays spoiler.</p><p>Murphy is a highly skilled, tactical striker. He used a smart game plan in his last fight against Josh Emmett, peppering the knockout artist with punches and kicks from the outside. That should also work well against Pico, an aggressive fighter with devastating power.</p><p>Murphy has also fought much steeper competition. He beat Emmett, Dan Ige, and Edson Barboza in his last three fights, while Pico's biggest wins are against Henry Corrales, Pedro Carvalho, and Leandro Higo. Pico has looked terrific against the opponents he's been given, but I think it's fair to say he's never fought someone half as good as Murphy.</p><p>Although it's possible Pico is even better than we think and rises to the occasion, I'll take Murphy for the upset.</p><p><strong>The pick: </strong>Murphy, unanimous decision</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/514272/cropped_GettyImages-1350235723.jpg?ts=1652881650" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/514272/w220xh124_GettyImages-1350235723.jpg?ts=1652881650 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/514272/w320xh180_GettyImages-1350235723.jpg?ts=1652881650 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/514272/w640xh360_GettyImages-1350235723.jpg?ts=1652881650 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/514272/w768xh432_GettyImages-1350235723.jpg?ts=1652881650 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/514272/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1350235723.jpg?ts=1652881650 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Chris Unger / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><h3>Welterweight bout</h3><p><strong>Geoff Neal (16-6)</strong><br><strong>vs.</strong><br><strong>Carlos Prates (21-7)</strong></p><p>This fight could go either way. Carlos Prates is likely coming in with a chip on his shoulder after Ian Machado Garry halted his rapid rise in their April main event. Geoff Neal, meanwhile, owns just one win in the last three years and is looking to get back in the mix. Prates and Neal both know how to throw down and could be the front-runners to steal Fight of the Night from Du Plessis and Chimaev.</p><p>I'll take Prates, who has more upside than Neal at this point in their careers. Hopefully, he learned from the Garry fight that he needs to open up on the feet a bit more.</p><p><strong>The pick: </strong>Prates, unanimous decision</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754518/cropped_GettyImages-2183929349.jpg?ts=1731206497" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754518/w220xh124_GettyImages-2183929349.jpg?ts=1731206497 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754518/w320xh180_GettyImages-2183929349.jpg?ts=1731206497 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754518/w640xh360_GettyImages-2183929349.jpg?ts=1731206497 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754518/w768xh432_GettyImages-2183929349.jpg?ts=1731206497 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754518/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2183929349.jpg?ts=1731206497 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Chris Unger / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><h3>Middleweight bout</h3><p><strong>Jared Cannonier (18-8)</strong><br><strong>vs.</strong><br><strong>Michael Page (23-3)</strong></p><p>Michael "Venom Page" looked great in his first UFC middleweight appearance against Shara "Bullet" Magomedov earlier this year and is sticking around at 185 pounds (at least for now) to try to make a real run.</p><p>Standing in his way is Jared Cannonier, who scored a massive TKO win over Gregory Rodrigues in February to snap a two-fight losing streak and remind everyone he's still one of the top middleweights in the world.</p><p>Page being the favorite over Cannonier would've seemed insane when he was competing as a welterweight in Bellator, but it makes sense now. The Englishman is a sniper on the feet and a master at controlling distance. He should be able to dodge all the big punches Cannonier throws his way.</p><p><strong>The pick: </strong>Page, unanimous decision</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768376/cropped_GettyImages-2197116428.jpg?ts=1738437290" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768376/w220xh124_GettyImages-2197116428.jpg?ts=1738437290 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768376/w320xh180_GettyImages-2197116428.jpg?ts=1738437290 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768376/w640xh360_GettyImages-2197116428.jpg?ts=1738437290 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768376/w768xh432_GettyImages-2197116428.jpg?ts=1738437290 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768376/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2197116428.jpg?ts=1738437290 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Chris Unger / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><h3>Flyweight bout</h3><p><strong>Tim Elliott (20-13-1)</strong><br><strong>vs.</strong><br><strong>Kai Asakura (21-5)</strong></p><p>Former Rizin FF champion Kai Asakura's UFC debut against flyweight champ Alexandre Pantoja couldn't have gone worse, getting choked unconscious in just over two minutes. But this fight against Tim Elliott should produce a better result. Elliott, a 20-fight Octagon veteran, <a href="https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/08/15/ufc-319-tim-elliot-brutally-honest-gatekeeper-status/85654193007/">admitted this week</a> he's nothing more than a gatekeeper, and that's exactly the kind of fighter Asakura should - and will - beat.</p><p><strong>The pick: </strong>Asakura, second-round TKO</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797646/cropped_GettyImages-2188815410.jpg?ts=1755284857" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797646/w220xh124_GettyImages-2188815410.jpg?ts=1755284857 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797646/w320xh180_GettyImages-2188815410.jpg?ts=1755284857 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797646/w640xh360_GettyImages-2188815410.jpg?ts=1755284857 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797646/w768xh432_GettyImages-2188815410.jpg?ts=1755284857 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797646/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2188815410.jpg?ts=1755284857 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Cooper Neill / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/32077153/related

UFC 319 predictions: Will Chimaev seize the middleweight throne?

The UFC returns to the Windy City on Saturday night for a highly anticipated middleweight title f...

<p>The UFC returns to the Windy City on Saturday night for a highly anticipated middleweight title fight, as Chicago's United Center plays host to UFC 319. In the main event, Dricus Du Plessis defends the 185-pound championship for the third time against undefeated challenger Khamzat Chimaev.</p><p>Chimaev (-260), who has been heralded as a future champion since he joined the promotion in 2020, is favored to beat Du Plessis (+210) on <a target="_blank" href="https://about.espnbet.com/sportsbook-redirect/?%24canonical_url=%2Fsport%2Fmma%2Forganization%2Fufc%2Fcompetition%2Fufc-319&amp;campaign=thescore_content&amp;customer_campaign=article&amp;%7Echannel=thescore-content&amp;tags=UFC&amp;tags=UFC+319+Betting+Preview&amp;tags=3323591&amp;tags=Picks"><strong>ESPN BET and theScore Bet</strong></a> and seize the throne. Truthfully, this fight could unfold in several different ways and might be best avoided altogether. Chimaev is a monster, but Du Plessis is criminally underrated, having been the underdog in three of his last four fights (and again in this one) despite holding a perfect record in the Octagon. This is a 'dog-or-pass situation.</p><p>With that, let's move on to some of the best bets for UFC 319.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3><a target="_blank" href="https://about.espnbet.com/sportsbook-redirect/?%24canonical_url=%2Fsport%2Fmma%2Forganization%2Fufc%2Fcompetition%2Fufc-319&amp;campaign=thescore_content&amp;customer_campaign=article&amp;%7Echannel=thescore-content&amp;tags=UFC&amp;tags=UFC+319+Betting+Preview&amp;tags=3323591&amp;tags=Picks">Lock of the card: Chase Hooper (-330) def. Alexander Hernandez</a></h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797572/cropped_GettyImages-2210001033.jpg?ts=1755201344" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797572/w220xh124_GettyImages-2210001033.jpg?ts=1755201344 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797572/w320xh180_GettyImages-2210001033.jpg?ts=1755201344 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797572/w640xh360_GettyImages-2210001033.jpg?ts=1755201344 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797572/w768xh432_GettyImages-2210001033.jpg?ts=1755201344 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797572/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2210001033.jpg?ts=1755201344 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Megan Briggs / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Chase Hooper grew up in front of UFC fans' eyes after debuting in 2019 at age 20, and he's finally starting to come into his own as a legitimate threat in the lightweight division. Hooper has won five in a row and should have no problem keeping that momentum going against Alexander Hernandez. Look for Hooper to use his significant advantage on the ground to control Hernandez for long stretches, wear him down, and possibly lock up a submission within 15 minutes.</p><h3><a target="_blank" href="https://about.espnbet.com/sportsbook-redirect/?%24canonical_url=%2Fsport%2Fmma%2Forganization%2Fufc%2Fcompetition%2Fufc-319&amp;campaign=thescore_content&amp;customer_campaign=article&amp;%7Echannel=thescore-content&amp;tags=UFC&amp;tags=UFC+319+Betting+Preview&amp;tags=3323591&amp;tags=Picks">Best underdog bet: Lerone Murphy (+150) def. Aaron Pico (-180)</a></h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797573/cropped_GettyImages-2208751366.jpg?ts=1755201424" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797573/w220xh124_GettyImages-2208751366.jpg?ts=1755201424 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797573/w320xh180_GettyImages-2208751366.jpg?ts=1755201424 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797573/w640xh360_GettyImages-2208751366.jpg?ts=1755201424 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797573/w768xh432_GettyImages-2208751366.jpg?ts=1755201424 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797573/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2208751366.jpg?ts=1755201424 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Jeff Bottari / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>It's surprising that Lerone Murphy is a clear-cut underdog in his co-main event clash with Aaron Pico. Yes, Pico has a lot of hype behind him coming over from the PFL, but Murphy is one of the featherweight division's top talents and has faced the steeper competition. A very technical and calculated striker, Murphy should be able to outwork Pico on the feet. All of this gives him a good chance of playing spoiler, so taking him at plus money feels like a bit of a steal.</p><h3><a target="_blank" href="https://about.espnbet.com/sportsbook-redirect/?%24canonical_url=%2Fsport%2Fmma%2Forganization%2Fufc%2Fcompetition%2Fufc-319&amp;campaign=thescore_content&amp;customer_campaign=article&amp;%7Echannel=thescore-content&amp;tags=UFC&amp;tags=UFC+319+Betting+Preview&amp;tags=3323591&amp;tags=Picks">Best prop bet: Edson Barboza vs. Drakkar Klose goes over 2.5 rounds (-166)</a></h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797575/cropped_GettyImages-2153600244.jpg?ts=1755201489" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797575/w220xh124_GettyImages-2153600244.jpg?ts=1755201489 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797575/w320xh180_GettyImages-2153600244.jpg?ts=1755201489 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797575/w640xh360_GettyImages-2153600244.jpg?ts=1755201489 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797575/w768xh432_GettyImages-2153600244.jpg?ts=1755201489 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797575/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2153600244.jpg?ts=1755201489 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Chris Unger / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>On a card full of competitive matchups, there aren't too many props we're overly confident in. But the undercard bout between Edson Barboza and Drakkar Klose going over 2.5 rounds is a solid bet. Barboza has gone the distance in three of his last four fights, while Klose has made it to the judges' scorecards in eight of his 12 UFC appearances. Don't count on seeing a finish in this one.</p><blockquote><p><strong>👊 <a target="_blank" href="https://about.espnbet.com/sportsbook-redirect/?%24canonical_url=%2Fsport%2Fmma%2Forganization%2Fufc%2Fcompetition%2Fufc-319&amp;campaign=thescore_content&amp;customer_campaign=article&amp;%7Echannel=thescore-content&amp;tags=UFC&amp;tags=UFC+319+Betting+Preview&amp;tags=3323591&amp;tags=Picks">Check out all the odds for UFC 319 on ESPN BET and theScore Bet here</a></strong></p></blockquote><h3>Main card</h3><ul>
<li>Dricus Du Plessis (+210) vs. Khamzat Chimaev (-260)</li>
<li>Lerone Murphy (+150) vs. Aaron Pico (-180)</li>
<li>Geoff Neal (+205) vs. Carlos Prates (-255)</li>
<li>Jared Cannonier (+160) vs. Michael Page (-190)</li>
<li>Tim Elliott (-350) vs. Kai Asakura (+270)</li>
</ul><h3>Preliminary card</h3><ul>
<li>Baisangur Susurkaev (-1000) vs. Eric Nolan (+600)</li>
<li>Gerald Meerschaert (+195) vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk (-240)</li>
<li>Jessica Andrade (+125) vs. Loopy Godinez (-150)</li>
<li>Chase Hooper (-330) vs. Alexander Hernandez (+260)</li>
</ul><h3>Early preliminary card</h3><ul>
<li>Edson Barboza (-140) vs. Drakkar Klose (+120)</li>
<li>Karine Silva (-220) vs. Dione Barbosa (+180)</li>
<li>Alibi Idiris (-500) vs. Joseph Morales (+350)</li>
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UFC 319 betting preview: Is there any value on Du Plessis?

The UFC 319 middleweight bout between Bryan Battle and Nursulton Ruziboev was canceled Friday aft...

<p>The UFC 319 middleweight bout between Bryan Battle and Nursulton Ruziboev was canceled Friday after Battle missed weight, the promotion announced.</p><p>Battle weighed in four pounds over the divisional limit, coming in at 190 pounds.</p><p>UFC 319 is scheduled to take place Saturday night at the United Center in Chicago.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>This is the second straight time that Battle has missed weight for a fight. He was also four pounds over ahead of a welterweight clash against Randy Brown at UFC 310 last December. Battle defeated Brown by split decision.</p><p>Battle, 30, is riding a five-fight unbeaten streak and holds a 7-1 (1 NC) record in the promotion.</p><p>Ruziboev was seeking his third straight win. The 31-year-old Uzbekistan native is 4-1 in the Octagon.</p><p>UFC 319 <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3324975" href="https://thescore.com/news/3324975">lost two other fights</a> earlier this week after King Green and Rodrigo Sezinando withdrew from their respective matchups against Diego Ferreira and Daniil Donchenko due to injuries. The pay-per-view event will proceed with 12 bouts, including the main event between middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev.</p>

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 15: Bryan Battle poses on the scale during the UFC 319 official weigh-in at Voco Chicago Downtown on August 15, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.

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Battle-Ruziboev off UFC 319 after weight miss

UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev made weight Friday before they sq...

<p>UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev made weight Friday before they square off in the UFC 319 main event Saturday in Chicago.</p><p>Du Plessis and Chimaev weighed in at 185 and 183 pounds, respectively.</p><p>Featherweights Lerone Murphy and Aaron Pico were also on the mark for the co-main event. They came in at 146 and 145 pounds, respectively.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Middleweight Caio Borralho made weight as the backup for the main event, coming in at 184 pounds.</p><p>Here are the ongoing UFC 319 weigh-in results.</p><h3>Main card (ESPN+ PPV at 10 p.m. ET)</h3><ul>
<li>Dricus Du Plessis (185) vs. Khamzat Chimaev (183)</li>
<li>Lerone Murphy (146) vs. Aaron Pico (145)</li>
<li>Geoff Neal (171) vs. Carlos Prates (170)</li>
<li>Jared Cannonier (186) vs. Michael Page (186)</li>
<li>Tim Elliott (126) vs. Kai Asakura (126)</li>
</ul><h3>Preliminary card (ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET)</h3><ul>
<li>Baisangur Susurkaev (186) vs. Eric Nolan (183)</li>
<li>Gerald Meerschaert (185) vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk (186)</li>
<li>Jessica Andrade (116) vs. Loopy Godinez (115)</li>
<li>Chase Hooper (155) vs. Alexander Hernandez (156)</li>
</ul><h3>Early preliminary card (ESPN+ at 6 p.m. ET)</h3><ul>
<li>Edson Barboza (155.5) vs. Drakkar Klose (156)</li>
<li>Bryan Battle (190)* vs. Nursulton Ruziboev (186)</li>
<li>Karine Silva (125) vs. Dione Barbosa (125.5)</li>
<li>Alibi Idiris (126) vs. Joseph Morales (126)</li>
</ul><p><em>* Missed middleweight limit by four pounds; fight canceled</em></p>

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 15:Dricus Du Plessis poses on the scale during the UFC 319 official weigh-in at Voco Chicago Downtown on August 15, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.

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UFC 319 weigh-in results: Du Plessis, Chimaev cleared for title fight

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