With UFC 318 now in the rearview mirror, the focus has swiftly shifted to next month`s highly anticipated spectacle, UFC 319.
The previous event on July 19 saw Max Holloway secure a decisive victory over Dustin Poirier, a memorable end to the night, even if `The Diamond` couldn`t cap his career with a win in front of his hometown crowd.
Scheduled for August 16 in Chicago, UFC 319 is just weeks away. While the headline bout between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev for the middleweight championship is one of the year`s most eagerly awaited title fights, some fans expressed disappointment with the depth of the rest of the card`s initial lineup.
However, the promotion provided a glimmer of hope on July 19, announcing that a significant matchup was still to be revealed for the event. This news immediately sparked widespread speculation among the online fanbase, eager to fill the vacant slot.
Aaron Pico vs. Movsar Evloev: A Fan-Favorite for UFC 319`s Co-Main?
During the UFC 318 broadcast, the UFC 319 main card was displayed on screen, clearly indicating that the co-main event slot for August 16 was still listed as “TBD” (To Be Determined). This revelation quickly led many fans to suggest a rescheduled bout that could perfectly fill the vacant position.
The most prominent suggestion involved a rebooking of Aaron Pico vs. Movsar Evloev. Pico himself openly called for the fight on this card, indicating his belief that an “opening” existed for them to be re-matched after Evloev withdrew from their originally planned July 26 encounter. Given that their initial fight was slated for five rounds and was widely considered a potential title eliminator for Alexander Volkanovski`s belt, a Pico vs. Evloev clash would undoubtedly elevate the stakes and excitement for UFC 319.
When questioned about this potential co-main event during his post-fight press conference, Dana White offered a brief and non-committal response, stating he had no confirmed information at that time:
“Right here, right now, I have no idea.”
Alternative Co-Main Event Suggestions from the Fans
The mystery surrounding the vacant co-main event spot for UFC 319 ignited extensive discussions and creative matchmaking among fans on social media. While many championed the idea of Aaron Pico and Movsar Evloev, others put forward different intriguing possibilities for the coveted position.
Several matchups in the lightweight and welterweight divisions were proposed. These included a rumored bout between Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje, although both fighters had previously denied such plans for August 16. Ian Machado Garry was another popular choice, with fans suggesting various opponents for him, such as Belal Muhammad or Sean Brady.
With UFC 319 rapidly approaching and less than a month away, it`s highly probable that this much-anticipated slot on the fight card will be confirmed and announced in the coming days, ending the fan speculation.
Jack Thornley