MMASucka Staff Picks UFC 319: Violent Middleweights Square Off For Gold In Chicago

Organising store on the United Middle in Chicago, Illinois, UFC 319 delivers on a bevvy of unimaginable matchups, topped off by a colossal middleweight championship bout between defending incumbent Dricus Du Plessis and the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev. Earlier than that, although, featherweight contender Lerone Murphy exams himself in opposition to earlier Bellator icon Aaron Pico. 

UFC 319 Important Occasion

Winner of 9 straight contained in the Octagon, Du Plessis has remained a pressure of nature within the UFC’s 185-lb division, netting spectacular victories over Robert Whittaker, Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland, twice. Searching for to report the third retention of his strap, “Stillknocks” can firmly name himself probably the greatest on the earth by defeating the person whom many name essentially the most harmful fighter within the promotion. 

Standing at an immaculate 14-0, Chimaev has garnered a much-earned repute as an thrilling middleweight competitor to look at, holding stoppage wins on Jingliang Li, Kevin Holland and Whittaker. Stalking the champion from the shadows till the cage doorways shut this Saturday, “Borz” bears his fangs as he prepares to lunge ahead into champion standing.          

UFC 319 Co-Important Occasion

Undefeated in each his newbie {and professional} careers, Murphy has developed from a promising prospect to respectable title menace over the previous couple of years, confirmed by his dominant triumphs over Edson Barboza, Dan Ige and Josh Emmett. Though he’s tasked with turning away a scorching UFC newcomer who has all of the momentum on the earth behind him, “The Miracle” is all however completely satisfied to play spoiler as he continues his ascent in direction of the highest.       

For a very long time now, Pico has been considered a burgeoning phenom within the sport, having as soon as been seen as a cornerstone title in Bellator whereas the group was nonetheless energetic. Now nearing his prime, the previous standout wrestler seems prepared to understand his full potential as a pound-for-pound nice when he makes his long-awaited debut within the international chief in combined martial arts.                

Extra Bouts On the Important Card

Rounding out the principle card, the hard-hitting Geoff Neal pairs up with the equally damaging Carlos Prates. Then, the venerable middleweight Jared Cannonier collides with fan-favorite striker Michael Web page. Lastly, Final Fighter winner Tim Elliot locks horns with Japanese steamroller Kai Asakura.   

UFC 319 Predictions and Workers Picks

MMASucka employees picks are composed of 4 of the world’s main combined martial arts organizations: the Final Preventing Championship (UFC), the Skilled Fighters League (PFL), ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Collection (DWCS).

UFC picks will embrace predominant card fights starting from 4 to 6 matchups per occasion.
PFL picks from predominant playing cards for pay-per-views and from match fights within the Common Season, Playoffs, and Finals.
ONE FC and DWCS picks will function all MMA fights from the occasion with a minimal of three matchups.

The person who picks essentially the most victorious fighters by the tip of 2025 could have a selection between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or an in depth chain from Championship Chains. Workers picks in 2023 have been received by Ben Jamieson with a report of 300-148.

Discover our UFC 319 picks and battle odds beneath. 

Workers information after PFL 9 (2025): 

Hank Strandberg: 135-78
Drew Zuhosky: 110-103
Frazer Krohn: 101-77
Jeremy Model: 98-77
Andrew Benjamin: 28-89

*Be aware – not all employees decide for each occasion*

Kai Asakura -335

     Vs.

Tim Elliott +275

       FLYWEIGHT

Jeremy Model: Hank Strandberg: Asakura by Unanimous DeterminationDrew Zuhosky: Elliot by Unanimous DeterminationFrazer Krohn: Asakura by Spherical Two Knockout Andrew Benjamin: Elliot by Break up Determination 

Workers choosing Asakura: 2

Workers choosing Elliot: 2

Michael Web page -190

Vs.

Jared Cannonier +165

             MIDDLEWEIGHT

Jeremy Model: Hank Strandberg:  Web page by Unanimous Determination                                                 Drew Zuhosky: Web page by Unanimous Determination     Frazer Krohn: Web page by Unanimous Determination Andrew Benjamin: Web page by Unanimous Determination        

Workers choosing Web page: 4

Workers choosing Cannonier: 0

Carlos Prates -225

Vs.

Geoff Neal +190

WELTERWEIGHT

Jeremy Model: Hank Strandberg: Prates by Third Spherical Knockout Determination                                                         Drew Zuhosky: Neal by Unanimous DeterminationFrazer Krohn: Prates by Unanimous Determination                                                   Andrew Benjamin: Prates by Unanimous Determination 

Workers choosing Prates: 3

Workers choosing Neal: 1

Aaron Pico -160

     Vs.

Lerone Murphy +140

   FEATHERWEIGHT

Jeremy Model: Hank Strandberg: Murphy by Unanimous DeterminationDrew Zuhosky: Pico by Unanimous Determination Frazer Krohn: Murphy by Unanimous DeterminationAndrew Benjamin: Murphy by Second Spherical Knockout  

Workers choosing Pico: 1

Workers choosing Murphy: 3

Khamzat Chimaev -235

     Vs.

Dricus Du Plessis +200

     MIDDLEWEIGHT

Jeremy Model: Hank Strandberg: Du Plessis by Unanimous DeterminationDrew Zuhosky: Du Plessis by Spherical One Submission  Frazer Krohn: Chimaev by Spherical 1 Submission  Andrew Benjamin: Du Plessis by Spherical Three Knockout   

Workers choosing Chimaev: 1

Workers choosing Du Plessis: 3