UFC 319 live: Khamzat Chimaev vs Dricus Du Plessis start time, fight card, updates and results tonight

The main card begins with a flyweight tilt between Tim Elliott and Kai Asakura.

Asakura, a former bantamweight champion in Rizin, joined the UFC late last year to immediately challenge flyweight king Alexandra Pantoja.

The Japanese, 31, showed off his electric striking in a couple of moments, but he was soon submitted by Pantoja.

Now, he aims to bounce back against American Elliott, 38, who is seeded 11th at 125lb.

Dricus Du Plessis (C) vs Khamzat Chimaev (middleweight title)

Lerone Murphy vs Aaron Pico (featherweight)

Geoff Neal vs Carlos Prates (welterweight)

Jared Cannonier vs Michael “Venom” Page (middleweight)

Tim Elliott vs Kai Asakura (flyweight)

Oh! Early in round two, Nolan is hurt by a high kick, but he fires back quickly!

Now a low kick by Susurkaev, and Nolan clutches his own knee… He’s then taken down!

Susurkaev is working on an arm-triangle, but Nolan manages to free himself… only to be flattened out on his stomach. Susurkaev has submission options AND ground and pound opportunities.

And he gets a rear naked choke!!

Baysangur Susurkaev def. Eric Nolan via second-round submission (rear naked choke, 2:01)

Susurkaev presses forward early, switching stances. He kicks high then stabs a front kick to the body.

Great knee by Nolan after grabbing the back of Susurkaev’s head at close range. Susurkaev tries to laugh it off.

He soon clinches Nolan against the cage, to the sound of boos. Nolan reverses the position, then lands a spinning back elbow as Susurkaev tries to twist off the cage.

Fun exchanges now. Susurkaev eventually backs up Nolan to the fence, shoots a double-leg, and dumps him down. He ties up Nolan’s legs in typically Russian fashion.

Nolan gives up his back but manages to stand against the fence. He’s dragged down a couple of times, but he keeps rising.

Susurkaev lets go and eats a few hard punches! He ties up Nolan again late in the round, but the American frees himself and rocks Susurkaev with a left hook!

Susurkaev drops onto his backside after the buzzer sounds!

Baysangur Susurkaev vs Eric Nolan is the final prelim of the night, and it’s a short-notice fight for each man.

Susurkaev last fought on TUESDAY, winning on Dana White’s Contender Series to stay unbeaten.

Meanwhile Nolan’s fine form has seen him similarly drafted into the UFC for this one, after a bout fell through on tonight’s card.

This one’s at middleweight.

Meerschaert was unfortunately the victim of Chimaev’s 17-second knockout in 2020.

Both men stand southpaw. Oleksiejczuk with a grazing one-two early. He backs up Meerschaert, who tries a single-leg but backs out. Meerschaert shoots again but is denied.

Another takedown denied by Oleksiejczuk, who then tags Meerschaert with a left hook, and “GM3” is dazed! He stumbles to his back, on the mat, and half-hopes Oleksie will follow him to the canvas.

No dice, and Meerschaert stands.

Oh! But he’s soon dropped again – this time by a cross – and he’s finished by heavy hammer fists!

Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Gerald Meerschaert via first-round TKO (punches and hammer fists, 3:03)

Loopy Godinez def. Jessica Andrade via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Alexander Hernandez def. Chase Hooper via first-round TKO (4:58)

Drakkar Klose def. Edson Barboza via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

What does the UFC’s new deal with Paramount mean for fans and fighters?

The Independent breaks it down below:

Find out where Du Plessis ranks on our pound-for-pound list, with the potential for a jump if he wins tonight of course…