Joseph Morales washed out of the UFC after three fights in 2018, then took nearly three years off before rebuilding his career with four straight wins and a berth in The Ultimate Fighter’s season 33 flyweight title fight.

Du Plessis has been one of the most dominant fighters over the past couple of years. Since his first fight in the UFC in 2020, the South African contestant has not lost a match, winning the Middleweight belt at UFC 290 in 2023. He has since defended the title thrice, two wins coming by decision.

CHICAGO – UFC 319 takes place Saturday, and you can join us for live round-by-round coverage and official results beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT) from United Center ( ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+)

UFC 319 and ESPN+: You can purchase a monthly subscription to ESPN+ and UFC 319 for $91.98, which includes your first month of ESPN+. An annual ESPN+ subscription and UFC 319 is also an option for $134.98.

UFC 319 will be headlined by a championship matchup at middleweight when Dricus Du Plessis defends his title against fast-rising wrecking machine Khamzat Chimaev. The event will also include the returns of Octagon stars Lerone Murphy, Edson Barboza, Jessica Andrade, Jared Cannonier, and Carlos Prates.

CHICAGO – UFC 319 ceremonial fighter weigh-ins take place Friday, and you can catch a live video stream of the proceedings here on MMA Junkie at 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT). The ceremonial weigh-ins take place at Radius Chicago. It's not far from United Center, which hosts Saturday's card ( ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+).

This is the UFC 319 live blog for Lerone Murphy vs. Aaron Pico, the co-main event featherweight bout Saturday at United Center in Chicago. Murphy (16-0-1) has put together an unbeaten run—including nine UFC fights—that has positioned him as the No.