Aaron Pico's long-awaited UFC debut came with the possibility of an immediate title shot with a win. Instead, the former uber prospect and Bellator MMA star was knocked out cold in spectacular and violent fashion at UFC 319 in Chicago .

Murphy (17-0-1 MMA, 9-0-1 UFC) was tasked with welcoming Bellator and PFL veteran Pico (13-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC) to the octagon in the co-headliner at United Center in Chicago. Just like every other time in his career, he refused to lose and emerged with a METHOD triumph to further elevate his own profile in the 145-pound title picture.

In the third fight of the main card, Carlos Prates hammered Geoff Neal with a spinning back elbow to the head for a KO in the final second of the first round. Neal was barely responsive on the floor as Prates began celebrating. It was the ninth spinning back elbow KO in UFC history, and Prates' UFC-best fifth KO since the start of 2024.

Du Plessis has been one of the most dominant fighters over the past couple of years. Since his first fight in the UFC in 2020, the South African contestant has not lost a match, winning the Middleweight belt at UFC 290 in 2023. He has since defended the title thrice, two wins coming by decision.

MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Friday's official UFC 305 fighter weigh-ins, which kick off at 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT). The early weigh-ins take place at the UFC host hotel in Perth, Australia,