## Windy City Showdown: UFC 319 Embedded Goes Behind the Scenes

**Chicago Welcomes Back the Octagon**

The UFC returns to Chicago for the first time in over six years, with UFC 319 set to take place Saturday at the United Center. The ninth pay-per-view event of the year promises an action-packed night, headlined by a clash between reigning middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis and undefeated challenger Khamzat Chimaev.

**Du Plessis vs. Chimaev: A Title Fight for the Ages**


Champion Dricus Du Plessis (23-2 MMA, 9-0 UFC) will defend his title for the third time against the formidable unbeaten contender, Khamzat Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC).

**Pico's Arrival and More**


Adding to the excitement, former Bellator standout Aaron Pico (13-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) makes his highly anticipated debut in the co-main event against undefeated featherweight Lerone Murphy (16-0-1 MMA, 8-0-1 UFC). Other intriguing matchups include Michael Page (23-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC) facing former middleweight title challenger Jared Cannonier (18-8 MMA, 11-8 UFC), all taking place in the home of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks.

**UFC Embedded: A Peek Behind the Curtain**


The first episode of "Embedded," the popular fight week video series, offers a glimpse into the lives and training regimens of the headliners and featured fighters. The episode follows Dricus Du Plessis as he throws out the first pitch at a Cubs game and attends a Bears practice. Michael “Venom” Page trains with his nephews in a playful "Uncle Bootcamp." Lerone Murphy hones his striking, while Aaron Pico gets fitted for a new suit.  Meanwhile, Carlos Prates enjoys some downtime playing video games, Geoff Neal brings a mobile gym to his house for training, and Khamzat Chimaev focuses on his cardio.




## Windy City Showdown: UFC 319 Embedded Goes Behind the Scenes

**Chicago Welcomes Back the Octagon**

The UFC returns to Chicago for the first time in over si

UFC 319 &#39;Embedded,&#39; No. 1: Dricus Du Plessis gets fi

UFC 319 &#39;Embedded,&#39; No. 1: Dricus Du Plessis gets first taste of the &#39;Friendly Confines&#39;

## Hernandez Makes Weight After Tense Scale Moment

**Las Vegas** - The main event for this weekend's UFC on ESPN 72 showdown is official after a nail-biting weigh-in moment. Middleweights Roman Dolidze and Anthony Hernandez stepped onto the scale Friday, with both fighters aiming to make the 186-pound limit.  

Dolidze weighed in first, easily hitting the mark at 186 pounds. Hernandez’s first attempt, however, fell short by a half-pound as the one-hour window ticked down.  

With pressure mounting, Hernandez returned to the scale an hour later, successfully registering 186 pounds and securing his place in the main event against Dolidze.


>Anthony Hernandez hit 186 pounds on his second #UFCVegas109 weigh-ins attempt and the main event vs. Roman Dolidze is now official.
   — MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) August 8, 2025  




## Hernandez Makes Weight After Tense Scale Moment

**Las Vegas** - The main event for this weekend's UFC on ESPN 72 showdown is official after a nail-biting we

UFC on ESPN 72 video: Roman Dolidze, Anthony Hernandez make 

UFC on ESPN 72 video: Roman Dolidze, Anthony Hernandez make weight in Las Vegas

##  Bashi Sends Message with First-Round Submission Victory

**Michigan Featherweight Dominates Opponent, Eyes Continued Rise in UFC**

LAS VEGAS – Austin Bashi made a statement Saturday night at UFC on ESPN 71. After securing his first UFC win via standing rear-naked choke in the opening round against John Yannis, Bashi sent a clear message: don't underestimate him.

Yannis (9-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC) stepped into the octagon on short notice as a heavy underdog against the highly touted Bashi (14-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC).  The fight ended decisively when Bashi locked in the submission with approximately 90 seconds remaining in the first round.

This victory came after Bashi's original opponent, Francis Marshall, withdrew from their scheduled bout shortly before the event. The 23-year-old featherweight remained focused on competing and expressed a willingness to face any challenger.

Bashi initially captured attention when he earned a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series this past September after an impressive performance. Despite being a heavy favorite in his official UFC debut against Christian Rodriguez in January, Bashi suffered his first career loss via decision.

The Michigan native described that experience as a valuable learning opportunity and a catalyst for his Saturday night triumph.

“After that last fight, I saw who my true supporters were, and I saw who was sleeping on me – and there were a bunch of people sleeping on me,” Bashi said at the post-fight press conference. “This was to prove something to myself – not really to the world, but to prove something to myself how hungry I am and how bad I really want it.” 





##  Bashi Sends Message with First-Round Submission Victory

**Michigan Featherweight Dominates Opponent, Eyes Continued Rise in UFC**

LAS VEGAS – Austin Bashi

Sleep on Austin Bashi at your own risk after UFC on ESPN 71

## Godinez Seeks Career-Defining Victory Against Former Champ Andrade

**Mexican fighter aims to capitalize on opportunity at UFC 319 in Chicago**


Loopy Godinez (13-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) is poised for a defining moment in her career when she faces former UFC strawweight champion Jessica Andrade (26-14 MMA, 17-12 UFC) at UFC 319 on August 16th at the United Center in Chicago.  

Godinez, coming off a unanimous decision win over Julia Polastri at UFC on ESPN 64 in March after back-to-back losses, sees this fight as a huge opportunity for her career.

"Definitely, I'm really excited for this fight," Godinez told MMA Junkie Radio. "I think it's also a great matchup for us. It's a big, big opportunity, and it's also the biggest fight of my career."


Andrade, who has struggled lately with five losses in her past seven bouts, presents a formidable challenge.  Godinez believes Andrade's aggressive forward style will play into her favor.

"She's well-rounded, and her power, she's really strong," Godinez said. "Honestly, we've been working really hard in every area. Everywhere the fight goes, we will have an answer. ... I think I have more tools to use when someone is aggressive and coming forward. She likes her hooks, that gives me a lot of space for my work, and I really believe this is a great matchup for me." 


This highly anticipated match-up will be broadcast live on ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, and ESPN+.  


## Godinez Seeks Career-Defining Victory Against Former Champ Andrade

**Mexican fighter aims to capitalize on opportunity at UFC 319 in Chicago**


Loopy Godin

Loopy Godinez: Jessica Andrade &#39;biggest fight of my care

Loopy Godinez: Jessica Andrade &#39;biggest fight of my career,&#39; but a favorable one

## Heavyweight Fighter Released Despite Stellar UFC Record

**Buday's Journey Ends After Unanimous Decision Win**

Martin Buday (16-2), despite a formidable 7-1 record within the UFC, has been released from the promotion. The news came just five days after his impressive unanimous decision victory over Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend Marcus Buchecha (5-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) at UFC on ABC 9.

A source close to the situation confirmed the roster move to MMA outlets but requested anonymity as the UFC has yet to make an official announcement. Buday, 33, was ranked No. 15 in the official UFC heavyweight rankings at the time of his departure.

Taking to social media, Buday acknowledged the news with a brief statement:

"Yeah it's true, yesterday we got a call that @ufc is not resigning us for the moment... well it is what it is, at least I'm leaving with my head up. Thank you🙏🏻"


**A Successful UFC Run Cut Short**

Buday, hailing from Slovakia, first captured the attention of UFC fans in 2021 when he scored a knockout victory over Lorenzo Hood to earn his contract.  He followed this up with wins against Chris Barnett, Lukasz Brzeski, Jake Collier, and Josh Parisian before suffering his first promotional loss to Shamil Gaziev via TKO in December 2023.

Undeterred, Buday bounced back with victories against Andrei Arlovski and Uran Satybaldiev before securing his final win against Buchecha.






## Heavyweight Fighter Released Despite Stellar UFC Record

**Buday's Journey Ends After Unanimous Decision Win**

Martin Buday (16-2), despite a formidable 7-1

UFC parts ways with Martin Buday despite 7-1 promotional rec

UFC parts ways with Martin Buday despite 7-1 promotional record

## De Ridder Brushes Aside Costa Trash Talk: "He Has Some Work To Do"

**Striker Downplays Callout, Eyes Title Shot Instead**

Reigning middleweight contender Reinier de Ridder is unfazed by Paulo Costa’s recent criticism and call-out following De Ridder's split decision victory over Robert Whittaker at UFC on ABC 9. 

Costa, who bounced back from a two-fight losing streak with a win over Roman Kopylov at UFC 318, took to X (formerly Twitter)  to declare: "With all due respect, I would knock out de Ridder 3 x wich round. All that said congrats for your win today , despite bad fight."

An apparent account under De Ridder's name on the platform then responded, challenging Costa to a November showdown at Madison Square Garden. However, De Ridder’s manager Ali Abdelaziz confirmed the account was fake, suggesting Costa might have been behind both posts.

While admitting Costa put on a good performance against Kopylov, De Ridder dismissed his call-out, stating: "He's a funny dude. It would lead to a nice press conference and a nice build-up, but I don't give a f*ck what he says. You can call me whatever you want to call me. Call me gay every day of the week. I don't mind. Maybe one day (we'll fight). But at the moment, I don't think he's there. I don't think he's at my level – though he did do very well in his last fight. He does pretty well against southpaws with the body kick and the straight right hand. So, he's alright, but I think he has some work to do first."


De Ridder is currently focused on securing a title shot rather than engaging in a matchup with Costa.  


## De Ridder Brushes Aside Costa Trash Talk: "He Has Some Work To Do"

**Striker Downplays Callout, Eyes Title Shot Instead**

Reigning middleweight contender R

#Ufc

UFC 319 'Embedded,' No. 1: Dricus Du Plessis gets first taste of the 'Friendly Confines'

UFC on ESPN 72 video: Roman Dolidze, Anthony Hernandez make weight in Las Vegas

Sleep on Austin Bashi at your own risk after UFC on ESPN 71

Loopy Godinez: Jessica Andrade 'biggest fight of my career,' but a favorable one

UFC parts ways with Martin Buday despite 7-1 promotional record

Reinier de Ridder dismisses Paulo Costa's callout: 'I don't think he's at my level'

#Ufc

UFC 319 &#39;Embedded,&#39; No. 1: Dricus Du Plessis gets first taste of the &#39;Friendly Confines&#39;

UFC on ESPN 72 video: Roman Dolidze, Anthony Hernandez make weight in Las Vegas

Sleep on Austin Bashi at your own risk after UFC on ESPN 71

Loopy Godinez: Jessica Andrade &#39;biggest fight of my career,&#39; but a favorable one

UFC parts ways with Martin Buday despite 7-1 promotional record

Reinier de Ridder dismisses Paulo Costa&#39;s callout: &#39;I don&#39;t think he&#39;s at my level&#39;

UFC 319 'Embedded,' No. 1: Dricus Du Plessis gets first taste of the 'Friendly Confines'

Loopy Godinez: Jessica Andrade 'biggest fight of my career,' but a favorable one

Reinier de Ridder dismisses Paulo Costa's callout: 'I don't think he's at my level'