The world of mixed martial arts was buzzing with energy and intrigue following UFC 319, an event that not only crowned a new middleweight king but also bridged the gap between promotions in a way rarely seen before. UFC 319, held in Chicago in August 2025, will be remembered for several headline-making moments, but none more so than the ascent of Khamzat Chimaev and a surprising show of respect for PFL star Liz Carmouche during the live broadcast.
Let’s start with the main event that had everyone talking. Khamzat Chimaev, the Chechen-Swedish phenom, finally realized his long-stated title ambitions by dominating Dricus du Plessis to capture the UFC middleweight belt. Chimaev’s relentless pressure and grappling prowess proved too much for du Plessis, who suffered his first UFC defeat after two successful title defenses. As the dust settled in Chicago’s United Center, a new era at 185 pounds had begun, one that some, like former fighter Din Thomas, had branded a "disaster" for the division due to concerns about Chimaev’s activity as a champion.
Chimaev, never one to shy from the spotlight, initially quelled those doubts by outlining an ambitious plan: he would defend his newly won title just two months later at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi. That declaration sent the MMA rumor mill spinning, with fans and pundits alike eager to see if Chimaev could maintain such a blistering pace at the top of the sport. The favorite to challenge him? None other than Reinier de Ridder, the Dutch star who had staked his claim to the number one contender spot by defeating Robert Whittaker in July 2025.
But as is so often the case in MMA, plans can change in the blink of an eye. In a recent appearance on Submission Radio, de Ridder’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, revealed that Chimaev’s quick turnaround was off the table. "I talked to the UFC," Abdelaziz said. "If Khamzat would have fought in October, it would have been Reinier de Ridder fighting Khamzat. But Khamzat said, you know, he is gonna fight next year." According to Abdelaziz, the UFC then offered a bout with Anthony Hernandez to de Ridder, who decided not to wait for Chimaev’s return. "He takes this fight and now he is gonna fight a very tough fight," Abdelaziz added. With that, de Ridder is now set to headline UFC Vancouver on October 18, 2025, against Hernandez, leaving the middleweight title picture in a holding pattern until at least 2026.
The shifting sands at the top of the UFC middleweight division weren’t the only story to emerge from UFC 319. During the broadcast, longtime UFC commentator Joe Rogan made waves by extending a rare, on-air shout-out to PFL women’s flyweight tournament champion Liz Carmouche. The gesture was unexpected, as UFC broadcasts seldom acknowledge the accomplishments of fighters outside their own roster. But Rogan, never one to shy away from giving credit where it’s due, congratulated Carmouche for her third-round knockout victory over Jena Bishop, which earned her the 2025 PFL women’s flyweight world championship tournament crown.
Rogan’s words resonated across the MMA community: "First woman to ever enter the UFC octagon, and at 41, won the PFL tournament last night…by KO! Shout-out to Liz," he declared. For Carmouche, the recognition was more than just a fleeting moment; it was a powerful validation of her longevity and impact on the sport. "It was really cool to see the cross promotion mention of anyone else is a big deal. And for it to be someone like [Rogan], that’s an even bigger deal for him to mention anything in a positive light," Carmouche told MMA Junkie. "I was definitely riding cloud nine on that, seeing Joe Rogan’s shout-out to me."
Carmouche’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Before joining PFL, she was the Bellator women’s flyweight champion, defending her title three times. Her career, though, is perhaps best defined by her historic UFC debut against Ronda Rousey at UFC 157 in 2013—the first women’s fight and first women’s championship bout in UFC history. That night, Rogan was cageside calling the action, witnessing firsthand as Carmouche nearly shocked the world before succumbing to Rousey’s signature armbar. The bout signaled a seismic shift for women’s MMA, opening the door for countless athletes who followed.
Reflecting on her legacy, Carmouche admitted she doesn’t dwell too much on her past accomplishments, lest it distract her from future goals. Still, the possibility of a UFC Hall of Fame induction is something she wouldn’t take lightly. "When you’re caught up in the moment of just trying to evolve as much as possible in between fights, you kind of lose the perspective on some of the things you’ve accomplished," Carmouche said. "I would love if there was a UFC Hall of Fame I could be part of. If PFL created one, I could be part of that too. That would be really awesome just to add to the things I have accomplished."
Meanwhile, the intrigue surrounding Khamzat Chimaev’s next move continues to dominate headlines. While the prospect of a super fight with reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev was floated by fans and some in the media, Abdelaziz quickly shut down any notion of that bout materializing. "This fight will never happen," he stated firmly. "First of all, Khamzat is too big. I don’t think he can ever make welterweight. And in a way, like these guys, they know each other. I don’t think, they’re from the same region. And honestly, these fights make absolutely no sense." Abdelaziz even suggested that a move up to light heavyweight might be more realistic for Chimaev than a drop back down to welterweight.
With Chimaev’s next title defense postponed until 2026, the middleweight division is left in a state of anticipation. Reinier de Ridder, having opted not to wait, now faces Anthony Hernandez in a high-stakes main event in Vancouver, while fans speculate on who will eventually get the next crack at "Borz." The super fight chatter may have been silenced for now, but in the ever-evolving world of MMA, nothing stays quiet for long.
As for Liz Carmouche, her career renaissance at age 41 and the respect paid to her by Joe Rogan serve as a reminder that greatness in MMA isn’t confined to one promotion or one moment. Whether she’s inducted into a Hall of Fame or not, Carmouche’s legacy as a pioneer and champion is secure—and the entire MMA world took notice at UFC 319.
The aftermath of UFC 319 leaves both the middleweight title picture and the women’s flyweight scene buzzing with possibilities. With champions taking time, contenders stepping up, and legends receiving overdue recognition, the only certainty is that fans can expect more twists and turns as 2025 rolls on.
