The UFC returns this weekend to Chicago and it’s here that we have UFC 319. This weekend’s PPV is headlined by an intriguing middleweight title fight between the champion, Dricus du Plessis and the undefeated, often avoided, Khamzat Chimaev.
This fight is not only difficult to predict, but it’s also difficult to analyse and make any solid, evidence-based prediction. With that being said, AI can help us out.
We inputted the question into an AI generator and got the results… So let’s take a look at how AI has predicted the UFC 319 main event may play out.
AI Predicts the UFC 319 Main Event
The Outcome
The outcome of the UFC 319 main event has the champion, Dricus du Plessis retain the title. The method in which he will win (according to AI) will be via third round TKO.
This isn’t out of the realm of possibility. du Plessis has finished 20 of his 23 wins, of which nine have come via KO/TKO. With that being said, we’ve never seen Chimaev struggle, let alone almost be finished, so that could potentially be a stretch.
Round by Round
Let’s look at how AI predicts the rounds will go.
The first round will likely go as AI has predicted. Chimaev will look to shoot early to avoid trading with the champion’s power. AI suggests that he will be successful in his takedown attempt, which, due to his average of 4.31 takedowns per fight, makes sense.
He shot quickly on Robert Whittaker, Kevin Holland and Li Jingliang with great efficiency, so why change something that isn’t broken? Next, he will control top position and force du Plessis into spending most of the round defending himself rather than being offensive; however, he will survive to see round 2. This would be similar to what happened when Chimaev faced Kamaru Usman, where he clocked up 4:35 of control time.
Round two will continue with the wrestling offence of Chimaev, however, the South African’s awkward style will create scramble opportunities and he’ll use his strength to make life difficult for Borz. On the break, the champion will begin to land his trademark looping punches on Chimaev, finding his range on the feet.
AI predicts that the final round of UFC 319 will be the third round. It is suggested that Chimaev’s pace will slow down due to his heavy wrestling offence during the first 10 minutes. His shots become less explosive, and the ‘pop’ on his shots dissipates. The champion, who does some of his best work in chaotic exchanges, begins to land big, hurting Chimaev.
The finish comes as he catches Chimaev with a short right hand as Chimaev enters du Plessis’ range, leading to a TKO finish via punches. Chimaev gets stopped on his feet, leading to some controversy with the finish.
Do you agree with how the UFC 319 main event will play out or did AI get it wrong on this one? All will be revealed on Saturday night.
