Former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad is eager to get back in the cage against Kamaru Usman sooner rather than later.

Former welterweight title challenger Dan Hardy pointed to the latter as the perfect opponent for Du Plessis’ first fight after losing the title in a lackluster affair at UFC 319. “Hernandez, maybe that’s the right next step for (Du Plessis) and ‘Fluffy’,” Hardy said during an appearance on Submission Radio.

The UFC’s massive new media rights deal with Paramount+ was announced last week, and Dana White has already given fighters something to smile about — bigger post-fight bonuses are on the way.

Morales (13-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) forced Idiris (10-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) to tap to a triangle choke in the second round of their bout to open the event at United Center in Chicago. The fight was the flyweight tournament final of Season 33 of "The Ultimate Fighter," and made Morales the latest to wear the crown.

SportsLine's Daniel Vithlani reveals his picks for the UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev fight card from the United Center in Chicago on Saturday

It wasn't a big climb for Khamzat Chimaev-- he already was the No. 2-ranked middleweight -- but there's something symmetrical about his short climb to the top of the ESPN divisional rankings just days after becoming UFC champion.

CHICAGO – UFC 319 takes place Saturday, and you can join us for live round-by-round coverage and official results beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT) from United Center ( ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+)