South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis will defend his UFC middleweight title against Khamzat Chimaev on 16 August in Chicago.

The middleweight rivals will headline UFC 319 at the United Center.

Russia’s Chimaev, 31, will challenge for his first UFC title and place his 14-0 undefeated record on the line.

Du Plessis has successfully defended his title twice since winning the belt from Sean Strickland in January 2024.

The 31-year-old has a record of 23 wins and two losses and could go into the contest as a slight underdog.

Chimaev has long been considered a future UFC champion, but inactivity and illness has stalled his career in recent years.

It will be the first time since 2022 Chimaev has fought in the United States.