Former UFC flyweight title contenders Tim Elliott and Kai Asakura are scheduled to clash inside the octagon. Both athletes confirmed on social media that their fight is booked for August 16, marking the UFC`s return to Chicago.
UFC 319 will take place at the United Center. The event features a major title defense in the main event, with 185-pound champion Dricus Du Plessis defending his middleweight belt against the undefeated force Khamzat Chimaev.
Elliott (23-13-1) will be making his comeback after a substantial 20-month layoff when he steps in to face Asakura. The winner of The Ultimate Fighter season 24 last competed in December 2023, securing a submission victory over Sumudaerji in Las Vegas.
The 38-year-old veteran, who previously challenged Demetrious Johnson for UFC gold following his TUF win in 2016, has been victorious in five of his past seven octagon appearances. His combined record across two stints in the UFC stands at 9-11.
Asakura (21-5) is looking to rebound from his promotional debut in December 2024, where he suffered a second-round submission defeat to the reigning 125-pound champion, Alexandre Pantoja.
The Japanese star arrived in the UFC as a two-time RIZIN bantamweight champion. He compiled a 13-3 record during his RIZIN career between 2017 and 2023, securing notable wins against fighters such as Kyoji Horiguchi, Manel Kape, and Juan Archuleta.
Wesley Dunham 
Marcus Blakely