The highly anticipated middleweight title fight between South Africa’s UFC champion Dricus du Plessis and undefeated contender Khamzat Chimaev may not happen as soon as fans hoped.
According to veteran MMA reporter Kevin Iole, Du Plessis is reportedly injured, putting his UFC 317 main event slot in serious doubt.
While the UFC hasn’t officially confirmed anything, the timing couldn’t be worse.
The showdown was expected to headline International Fight Week this June in Las Vegas – a marquee event on the UFC calendar.
Now, all signs point to the bout being pushed to later this year.
“I’m hearing Dricus du Plessis is injured,” Iole wrote in a piece about Islam Makhachev.
“If that’s accurate, a bout between Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev couldn’t headline IFW.”
Du Plessis, 31 last fought on 9 February 2025 at UFC 312 when he defended his title against American Sean Strickland, winning via an unanimous points decision in Sydney, Australia.
Chimaev, who will turn 31 on 1 May, was last in action at UFC 308 against Robert Whittaker on 26 October 2024 in Abu Dhabi when he won via submission in the first round.
Dricus du Plessis’s camp will no doubt confirm – or deny – any injury, soon.
Return to action
The UFC may now lean on lightweight champ Islam Makhachev to step in and carry the June card.
That would mark his return to action since defending his belt in dominant fashion last October.
For Du Plessis, this would be his first setback since claiming UFC gold in early 2024.
For Chimaev, it’s another bump in the road after a dominant but somewhat stop-start run through two weight classes.
And for fans?
It’s just rough. This matchup had fireworks written all over it.
UFC 317 still has Alexandre Pantoja vs Kai Kara-France for the flyweight title, but UFC top brass will likely need another blockbuster name to save the event.
Stay tuned: UFC cards are never short on surprises!
Are you a big UFC fan?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
