Dricus Du Plessis has revealed he’s not injured, asserting a date for his next fight has already been discussed.
The UFC middleweight champion addressed the injury rumours on Thursday, adding that a fight announcement will be ‘coming soon.’
His statement follows reports that suggested the South African was dealing with an injury, meaning his title bout with No. 1 contender Khamzat Chimaev would be delayed.
Chimaev didn’t take kindly to the news, calling the middleweight king out online, with Du Plessis hitting back hours later.
Du Plessis has now revealed that their potential fight—that several members of the MMA community suggested would take place at UFC 317 during International Fight Week in June—was never signed.
“Okay so everyone had their opinions and rumours and stories about a shin break and injuries etc,” he wrote on Instagram.
“I found it all very entertaining, unfortunately none of it is true. Myself and UFC [have] already discussed a fight date and opponent.
“The June fight was never signed. I did not pull out of any fight, I am the champion I know when I fight you as a contender just show up when we tell you to.
“Fight announcement coming soon stay tuned.”
Du Plessis is one of the most complete fighters in the UFC and is ranked fifth in the promotion’s pound-for-pound rankings.
He has held the belt for over a year since defeating Sean Strickland at UFC 297 in January 2024.
Seven months later, ‘Stillknocks’ submitted ex-middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in his first title defence before defeating Strickland again at UFC 312 last February.
His third defence of the 185lb strap is likely to be against the undefeated Russian Chimaev.
Chimaev made his UFC debut in July 2020 and quickly established himself as a top contender following four straight stoppages that all led to $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses.
He put the entire division on notice after making easy work of Kevin Holland at UFC 279 in September 2022, submitting the American just over two minutes into the first round.
‘Borz’ has since proved he can mix it up with the best after claiming a majority decision win over former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in 2023.
His last fight came against Robert Whittaker last October at UFC 308, shattering the Australian’s jaw after locking in a first-round rear-naked choke.
He is ranked No. 3 in the UFC middleweight division and widely viewed as the future king at 185lbs.
After news emerged of Du Plessis’ injury, No. 6 ranked middleweight Caio Borralho, who represents popular Brazilian MMA gym Fighting Nerds, threw his name into the mix to fight Chimaev.
He declared Chimaev had agreed to an interim UFC middleweight title bout if Du Plessis remained sidelined.
‘The Natural’ is also undefeated in the UFC having emerged through Dana White‘s Contender Series in 2021.
