Chicago will once again play host to a major UFC pay-per-view event as the octagon returns to the United Center for a stacked card featuring a middleweight championship bout between reigning champion Dricus Du Plessis and undefeated contender Khamzat Chimaev. The high-profile clash is set to headline a night of action-packed fights that has captured the attention of mixed martial arts fans across the globe. For both fighters, the stakes are enormous — Du Plessis looks to extend his dominant title reign, while Chimaev enters the cage aiming to capture UFC gold for the first time in his career.
Fight night begins on Saturday with the early prelims kicking off at 5 p.m., available for streaming on ESPN Plus. The preliminary bouts are scheduled to start at 7 p.m. and will also be available through ESPN Plus, Disney Plus, and ESPN’s television channel. The highly anticipated main card, which includes the middleweight title fight, will begin at 9 p.m. exclusively on ESPN Plus as part of the pay-per-view broadcast. Fans will need an active ESPN Plus subscription, priced at $11.99 per month or $119.99 annually, in order to purchase the event for $79.99.
For those hoping to watch the action live from inside the United Center, tickets remain available but at a premium. As of Thursday afternoon, the least expensive seats on Ticketmaster were priced around $400, with those tickets classified as limited-view seating. On the resale market, such as StubHub, fans can expect to pay close to $600 or more after fees for entry into the venue. Given the rarity of UFC pay-per-view events in Chicago, demand is high, and the arena is expected to be packed with fight fans from across the Midwest.
The headline bout pits Du Plessis, who boasts a professional record of 23-2-0, against Chimaev, who has compiled a flawless 14-0-0 record. Du Plessis is riding an impressive 11-fight winning streak dating back to 2019, including three successful title defenses. Two of those defenses came against Sean Strickland, with Du Plessis most recently defeating him in February by unanimous decision to retain his belt. Known for his knockout power with nine career wins coming by way of KO, Du Plessis has become one of the most formidable champions in the division.
Chimaev, on the other hand, has carved a path of destruction through the UFC ranks since his debut, finishing most of his opponents in dominant fashion. His last victory came in October 2024 at UFC 308, where he submitted Robert Whittaker with a brutal face-crank submission that dislocated his opponent’s jaw. This fight marks Chimaev’s first crack at a UFC title, and his aggressive style promises to test Du Plessis in ways the champion has not yet experienced. The clash of styles — Du Plessis’ technical precision and power against Chimaev’s relentless grappling and pressure — sets the stage for a compelling main event.
In addition to the title fight, the main card features several exciting matchups. In the featherweight division, Lerone Murphy will take on Aaron Pico in a battle that could shape the contenders’ landscape. Welterweight action sees Geoff Neal facing Carlos Prates, promising heavy exchanges and knockout potential. Another middleweight showdown has Jared Cannonier going up against Michael Page, a fight that brings contrasting styles with Cannonier’s striking power meeting Page’s unorthodox movement and precision. Rounding out the main card is a flyweight bout between Tim Elliott and Kai Asakura, which is expected to deliver high-paced action and scrambles.
This will be only the third UFC pay-per-view event ever held at the United Center. The most recent was in June 2019, when Henry Cejudo captured the vacant bantamweight title against Marlon Moraes, while Valentina Shevchenko successfully defended her flyweight crown against Jessica Eye. The rarity of such events in Chicago adds to the excitement for local fans eager to witness top-tier MMA on home soil.
The UFC’s return to Chicago not only brings world-class fighters to the octagon but also reinforces the city’s position as a premier destination for major sporting events. With a sold-out crowd expected and millions watching from around the world, the atmosphere at the United Center on fight night will be electric. Whether watching from home or in the arena, fans are in for a memorable evening of combat sports, culminating in a middleweight title fight that could alter the course of the division.
