MMA
Review of the UFC 319 and Abu Dhabi plants
Dana White yesterday announced ads for the upcoming UFC fights yesterday.
UFC 319 is to provide an electrifying night of mixed martial arts on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at the United Center, Chicago, Illinois. This event means the return of UFC to the City Windy for the first time since UFC 238 in 2019.
In the main fight he presents the Master of the UFC Dricus du Plessis Master defending his title against the unbeatable Khamzat Chimaev. Du Plessis, who had a professional record of 23-2, was a dominant force in the division. Chimaev, with a flawless 14-0 record, creates his first title challenge and a return to fight in the United States since 2022. Nassoourdine Imavov was appointed the official spare warrior of this main event, ensuring that the income from the fight.
Transmission details
- Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
- Premises: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
- Main card: 22:00 ET on Pay-Per-View
- REMIMS: 20:00 ET on ESPN/ESPN+/Disney+
- Early preliminary: 18:00 ET on ESPN+/Disney+
Here are the lines for UFC 319 and UFC Abu Dhabi:
Dricus du plessis +165
Khamzat chimaev -190
Note: This combat line was initially opened after speculation in August with Chimaev -200 and DDP +170.
UFC is to return to Abu Dhabi on July 26, 2025, and the fascinating main event in the average weight with the participation of former master Robert Whittaker against Rising Reinier Ridder. This UFC night fight will take place at Etihad Arena and will be broadcast on ABC, marking the 21st promotion event in Abu Dhabi and the first from UFC 308 in October 2024.
Robert “The Reaper” Whittaker (26-8) strives to reflect after losing in the first round with Khamzat Chimaev on UFC 308. Before this failure, Whittaker assured victory over Paulo Costa and Ikram Aliskerov, confirming his status of the best pretender in the average weight section.
Reinier “RDR” de Ridder (20-2), former two-level master in one championship, quickly left his mark in the UFC. From the moment of joining the organization, he has a 3-0 record, with a noteworthy finish of Gerald Meerschart, Kevin Holland and a recent victory before because Nickal on UFC des Moines. Standing at 6’4 ″ with 78-inch range, de Ridder is a significant physical challenge in the medium scale.
This fight has significant implications for the image of the medium weight title. The current Master Dricus du Plessis is to defend his title against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319. Victory for Whittaker or De Ridder can set them as another pretender for the title.
Event details
- Event: UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. De Ridder
- Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025
- Premises: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Program: ABC (US), ESPN+
- Starting times: Prelim at 12:00 et, main card at 15:00 et
There will also be several other intriguing duels in the event:
- Airy weight: Nikita Krylov vs. Bogdan Guskov
- Average weight: Shara Magomedov vs. Marc-André Barriault
- Airy weight: IBO ASLAN VS. Billy Elekana
- Muchy: Asu Almabayev vs. RAMAZON TEMIROV
When the UFC returns to Abu Dhabi, fans can predict a night of high rate duels that can transform the average weight landscape.
Robert Whittaker -175
Reinier de Ridder +150
Shara Magomedov -260
Mark Andre Barriault +2
diegolopesmma on InstagramUFC lightweight newcomer Diego Lopes has spoken about the logistics of his move up to face Charles Oliveira for the BMF title.
In the main event of UFC 335, Charles Oliveira will defend the BMF title against Diego Lopes. We all know Lopes to be an entertaining fighter to watch in the cage but after twice failing to take the featherweight belt from Alexander Volkanovski, he's ready for a new challenge.
RELATED: Diego Lopes expecting a war against Charles Oliveira at UFC 335: ‘Let's see who goes down first'
Charles Oliveira, of course, is a seasoned lightweight veteran, a former champion, and someone who will be looking to take advantage of any rust Diego Lopes may have in this new weight class.
In a recent interview, though, Diego Lopes discussed how he plans to adapt to his new surroundings.
Diego Lopes discusses his lightweight switch
“Height-wise, I don't feel bad,†Lopes told Hablemos MMA in Spanish. “I think I'm one of the tallest fighters in the division. I think out of all the top-five fighters, I'm the same height or taller. I think Pimblett is the only one bigger than me height-wise and weight-wise, but I still need to adapt, and I don't think it will be a problem.â€
“I'll give you an interesting stat: my nutritionist and I did an evaluation of how much the top lightweights were bouncing back in weight the day of the fight,†Lopes said. “My decision to move up to 155 was not just, ‘I'm moving up. That's it.' No. So from the champion to the top five, they bounce up around 180 to 172 pounds. That's normally what they're bouncing to. I've been adapting my weight for 155 for some time now.
“In my last fight, and this you'll find interesting: for my last fight, on fight day, I weighed in at 175. So if you think about it, I'm already about average. Obviously, that was in the morning, and I was swollen, and after going to the bathroom and training, I was at 170, 171. So it wasn't too bad, and keep in mind I made a camp for 145 pounds. Now, imagine at 155, I think I'll be good.â€
“We'll see what happens,†Lopes said. “I want to see how my body responds at 155. I want to see how I adapt at 155. This is the first time I'm doing a camp for 155. I'm heavier, and I'm just doing more. I've never lifted weights in my life, and now I'm lifting weights twice a week. I'm also taking supplements; I'm taking creatine, and I'm heavier. So let's see how my body responds. I think Charles is the perfect test to see if I belong at 155.â€
Quotes via MMA Junkie
Do you expect Lopes to do well at 155 pounds? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, BJPENN Nation!
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
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