Fights that should be made after UFC 319

After an action-packed night in Chicago, that included the crowning of a new king at middleweight, UFC 319 is in the books. However, with the end of one fight comes the beginning of new ones, so let me cook.  

Khamzat Chimaev vs winner of Nassourdine Imavov vs Caio Borralho 

Who can beat Khamzat? After yet another dominant performance to dethrone Dricus du Plessis, Chimaev looks as unstoppable as ever. But who can really be surprised? From the moment Khamzat fought twice in 10 days, with first round wins in both, it was almost a foregone conclusion that he would one day hoist UFC gold. Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho are slated to face off in September, and the winner will almost certainly get his shot at Chimaev’s belt, but I can hardly see either challenger coming out champion. Imavov holds a win over former long-reigning champion Israel Adesanya; however, Izzy was on a two-fight skid at the time, and Imavov was losing the fight before he knocked out The Last Stylebender. Caio Borralho’s most notable win came in his last fight when he beat a 40-year-old Jared Cannonier by decision. Compare that to Chimaev’s resume of two former champions in a row before his title fight, and it throws shade on the two potential challengers.  

Dricus du Plessis vs Reinier de Ridder 

Dricus du Plessis vs Reinier de Ridder is like if Wile E. Coyote and Tom Cat fought each other. Both guys have insanely colorful personalities and extremely goofy fighting styles. However, putting aside the goofiness of this fight, both guys are serious title contenders, and after besting former champion Robert Whittaker in July, Reinier de Ridder could put himself in line for a title shot with a win against a freshly overthrown king in du Plessis. For du Plessis a win over a surging contender puts him right back in line to get his belt back. Not only does this fight have significant importance in the middleweight division but it could also end up being fight of the year.  

Lerone Murphy vs Alex Volkanovski 

Give the kid his title shot. Lerone Murphy made a huge statement when he put a spinning elbow to the dome of Aaron Pico to send the Bellator MMA vet into the shadow realm. In his post-fight interview he called out featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski to which the champion took to X saying that he would see Murphy in December.  

Carlos Prates vs Colby Covington 

I just want to see Colby Covington get beat up again.  

Michael Venom Page vs Israel Adesanya 

I’ve wanted to see this matchup since MVP entered the UFC in February of 2024, and now it’s as close as it’s ever been to happening. As a kid, MVP was always my favorite fighter outside of the UFC. I’ll never forget him denting Cyborg Santos’ skull in with a flying knee and then rolling a poke ball at him. Speaking of me as a kid, I was 13 when Izzy won the belt and became a huge fan of The Last Stylebender, especially after his win against Paulo Costa in one of the most dominant title defenses of all time. As a former kickboxer, this fight does something for me. Make it happen, Dana.