The experts have made their picks, and there are some interesting predictions for UFC 319.
The event is the biggest UFC show for a while, featuring a massive UFC Middleweight title clash between Dricus du Plessis and the undefeated challenger, Khamzat Chimaev.
Both men have yet to lose in the UFC, building up some impressive winning streaks en route to UFC 319.
Du Plessis and Chimaev top an impressive-looking card, which also sees Lerone Murphy and Aaron Pico battle in the co-main event, as well as an action-packed undercard and prelims.
The Bloody Elbow staff has made their predictions about what will happen at UFC 319, including the two main event fights as well as the Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonus winners
Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev prediction
- Harvey Leonard: Dricus du Plessis
- Jordan Ellis: Khamzat Chimaev
- Ross Markey: Dricus du Plessis
The Bloody Elbow experts have made a split decision on who will win the UFC 319 main event, which could be how du Plessis retains his title, given how close this fight could be.
The main event features two fighters who are undefeated in the UFC, with du Plessis’s last defeat coming via knockout before he made his debut in the promotion.
His 9-0 record since his 2020 debut has helped position du Plessis as the #4 pound-for-pound fighter in the company.
Wins over Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya saw him win and defend the UFC Middleweight title in impressive fashion.
Both Harvey and Ross can’t look past a du Plessis victory, but Jordan is backing the undefeated Chechen Chimaev to use his size advantage to take out the champion and claim his Middleweight crown.
Lerone Murphy vs Aaron Pico prediction
- Harvey Leonard: Lerone Murphy
- Jordan Ellis: Aaron Pico
- Ross Markey: Lerone Murphy
Aaron Pico makes the jump over to the UFC after a good career in Bellator, but he will have to contend with an undefeated opponent who will be the clear favorite for this bout.
Pico takes on Lerone Murphy in the UFC 319 main event, bringing his famous knockout blows to the biggest promotion, and Jordan thinks he has enough to finish Murphy on August 16.
He won three of his last five fights via KO, with his only loss since 2019 coming due to a shoulder injury suffered at the end of the first round against Jeremy Kennedy.
However, Pico hasn’t competed since February last year, and that ring rust could give Murphy more of a chance to win.
Harvey and Ross are backing the 16-0-1 UFC star to beat the debuting Pico, who a UFC legend questioned why he took such a hard fight for his maiden voyage in the promotion.
A loss here could derail his MMA career despite huge future promise, which seems likely if Murphy is in top form once again.
UFC 319 Fight of the Night prediction
- Harvey Leonard: Edson Barboza vs. Drakker Klose
- Jordan Ellis: Geoff Neal vs Carlos Prates
- Ross Markey: Edson Barboza vs. Drakker Klose
Harvey and Ross are once again in agreement, choosing the Edson Barboza and Drakkar Klose fight as the one that will earn a $50,000 bonus at the end of the night at UFC 319.
Barboza continues into his 17th year in MMA, shockingly moving up to Lightweight following his spirited defeat to Lerone Murphy back in May, pushing the undefeated fighter to the limit over five rounds.
While his record isn’t the best over the past few years, nobody could ever accuse Barboza of not giving his all or putting on great fights.
That is why his bout with Klose could win the bonus, with both men coming off the back of losses, with knockout power in their gloves, and with something to prove at UFC 319.
Meanwhile, Jordan is excited by one of the most high-profile bouts outside of the main event, as Carlos Prates battles Geoff Neal in a Welterweight battle.
The fight was originally scheduled for UFC 314 before Neal pulled out of the bout and the pair could cause chaos on August 16.
Both men are prone to finishes in their fights, whether on the giving or receiving end, leaving either vulnerable for a spectacular knockout shot or a brutal submission in the middle of the octagon, in a fight that you won’t be able to take your eyes off of.
UFC 319 Performance of the Night prediction
- Harvey Leonard: Kai Asakura
- Jordan Ellis: Michael Page
- Ross Markey: Carlos Prates
There are three distinct picks for the Performance of the Night winner, with all three fighters having a good claim to earn the $50,000 bonus.
Harvey is backing Japanese star Kai Asakura to impress in his first fight of the year, following 2024’s submission defeat to Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 310.
This is just his second fight in the UFC, after numerous impressive bouts in his home country for Rizin before making the jump to the United States. Asakura will want to make a splash when he faces Tim Elliot at UFC 319.
Meanwhile, Jordan is backing Michael “Venom” Page to continue his rehab in the octagon after his UFC 303 loss to Ian Machado Garry.
He impressed in his return to Middleweight against Sharabudin Magomedov in February, and will look to use some more of his famed knockout power to finish Jared Cannonier at UFC 319.
Finally, Ross can’t look past Prates for the Performance of the Night winner. With the ability to finish a fight at any time, Prates is in pole position to pick up the bonus if he can beat Neal on August 16.