UFC 319: Du Plessis, Pimblett-Gaethje Leak Stir Buzz

Ilia Topuria became the new UFC lightweight champion with a knockout win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. The UFC’s summer lineup features Derrick Lewis vs. Tallison Teixeira in Nashville on July 12 and Dustin Poirier’s retirement fight against Max Holloway for the BMF title in New Orleans on July 19. UFC 319 in August will be headlined by middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis defending against Khamzat Chimaev. Multiple sources report that Du Plessis has leaked a co-main event between Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje, which could determine the next challenger for Topuria’s lightweight belt, though the UFC has not officially confirmed the matchup. Other contenders such as Arman Tsarukyan remain sidelined. The summer schedule is shaping up as one of the UFC’s most eventful, featuring title bouts, retirements, and major contender matchups.