MMA Championship Weekend: UFC and PFL in Action
The weekend will be packed with emotions for mixed martial arts (MMA) fans. The UFC arrives in Chicago on Saturday for its last pay-per-view event of the summer, while the PFL World Championships continue from Charlotte, North Carolina, on Friday. Get ready for high-caliber fights and unforgettable moments.
UFC 319: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev, and more
In the main event of UFC 319, middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis will defend his title for the third time against Khamzat Chimaev, ranked number 2 in the division by the UFC. Both fighters arrive undefeated to the fight, guaranteeing an explosive match. Du Plessis has a perfect record of 9-0, with six wins by finish, while Chimaev holds an impressive 8-0, also with six finishes.
In the co-main event, former Bellator MMA standout Aaron Pico will make his highly anticipated UFC debut against undefeated featherweight contender Lerone Murphy. The winner could face champion Alexander Volkanovski in their next fight.
PFL World Championships 2025: Titles on the line
The second week of the 2025 PFL World Championships features exciting title fights for the lightweight, bantamweight, and women’s flyweight divisions. Liz Carmouche, former Bellator champion, will seek to add another belt to her collection by facing Jena Bishop. In addition, knockout artists Alfie Davis and defending champion Gadzhi Rabadanov will face off for the lightweight title. Marcirley Alves and Justin Wetzell, both contenders from the first season of the PFL, will fight for the bantamweight championship.
Expert Analysis and Predictions
Alofoke Deportes’ MMA analysts and commentators have shared their predictions for the Du Plessis vs. Chimaev fight. In addition, betting expert Ian Parker offers his analysis on valuable bets in UFC and PFL cards.
Middleweight Fight Predictions
Dricus won’t be able to avoid the takedown. I don’t think Du Plessis can avoid the takedown, but will he be good enough to get back to his feet and strong enough to get out of those positions? I think he’s good enough to get back to his feet. So we’re going to see Khamzat do something he’s never done, which is fight adversity in a five-round fight. I’m betting on DDP for that.
Anthony Smith
A couple of months ago, I would have said DDP, but I’ve changed my mind. I think Khamzat’s grappling pressure is going to be too much. DDP needs to be the better grappler to win fights and stay where he wants to be, and that’s not the case in this one.
Din Thomas
Betting Analysis
Parker: Chimaev to win by finish (+375). In one of the most anticipated title fights of the year, Du Plessis will defend his title against the “giant killer” Chimaev. Can DDP defend himself against Chimaev’s chaotic pace and wrestling in the first round? It’s possible, but even if he does, I find the narrative suggesting that Chimaev doesn’t have the stamina to last more than one round false. I think Chimaev is going to surprise a lot of people by connecting quality strikes early, unleashing his wrestling. We’ve seen DDP withstand when he’s been hit before, but he hasn’t fought someone with Chimaev’s wrestling backing up his striking. I think Du Plessis is in for a rude awakening.
Parker’s Best Bets on the UFC Card
Lightweight: Diego Ferreira vs. King Green
Ferreira to win (-150). Ferreira is 2-1 in his last three fights, with the loss by decision to Grant Dawson in January, so I’m surprised Ferreira isn’t a bigger favorite for this fight. Green has been finished in three of his last four fights, including the loss by a brutal spinning kick from Mauricio Ruffy in his last fight. Green, 38, isn’t getting any younger, and his chin isn’t getting any stronger. Unless he connects on Ferreira early, I don’t see how he wins this fight. Ferreira is the better striker, the better grappler, and overall has multiple paths to victory.
Strawweight: Loopy Godínez vs. Jessica Andrade
Godínez to win (-150). Andrade’s role in the strawweight division has become the litmus test to know if someone belongs in the top 10 or not. Against Natalia Silva last September, Andrade was dismantled for three rounds, and in May, she was finished in the first round by Jasmine Jasudavicius. Godínez is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Julia Polastri on March 29, and I think against Andrade she will use the same wrestling-focused approach we saw against Polastri. Once Andrade is put on her back, or controlled for that matter, she tends to get finished. Unless she can go back in time and become the unstoppable force she once was, I think Godínez will outgrapple her.
Lightweight: Edson Barboza vs. Drakkar Klose
Barboza to win (-150). After a KO loss, Klose faces another devastating striker. The reality is that if Klose can’t take this fight to the ground and keep it there, he won’t win. There are very few better strikers than Barboza, whose leg kicking game is still among the best. Expect Barboza to defend takedowns early and accumulate calf kicks as the fight goes on.
Parker’s Best Bets for the PFL World Championships
Lightweight: Gadzhi Rabadanov vs. Alfie Davis
Rabadanov to win by finish. Rabadanov has gone from being a fighter who wins by decision to a complete mixed martial artist who has been finishing his opponents non-stop, and I don’t think that will stop here. As good as Davis is as a striker, and he has KO power in his arsenal, Rabadanov can match him there. Rabadanov will also have a big advantage in wrestling, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he got the submission victory. However, if you want to play it a little safer, take under 4.5 rounds, as I don’t see this fight going to the final bell.
Women’s Flyweight: Liz Carmouche vs. Jena Bishop
Carmouche to win by finish. Carmouche has shown us once again that age is just a number, as the 41-year-old fighter has another chance to win the world tournament. Unless Bishop catches her with an early submission, I see Carmouche not only winning but getting the finish. Expect her to take top position and use her elbows and ground-and-pound to get the victory.
Bantamweight: Marcirley Alves vs. Justin Wetzell
Alves to win. On Monday, Alves was a -150 favorite, but the odds have skyrocketed to -225. However, I’ll still take him. For Wetzell to win, he needs to take Alves down and keep him there, which I don’t see happening. Alves’ takedown defense has been impeccable this season, and if the fight stays on its feet, he has a huge advantage. Expect Alves to press a lot of striking volume during this fight and win the tournament.
