UFC 317 in Jeopardy: Du Plessis vs Chimaev Title Fight at Risk Amid Injury Speculation and Social Media Clash

Dricus du Plessis (L) and Khamzat Chimaev (R) Credits: IMAGN

The UFC and Dana White have a conundrum to solve as international fight week (June 25th-29th) edges closer. 

Originally, fans were hyped up for UFC 317 with middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis looking to defend his title against unbeaten top contender Khamzat Chimaev, in the main event.

However, there are now serious doubts over whether this fight will go ahead or not. Earlier this week, rumours began to swirl around the MMA universe stating that the South African world champion had suffered an injury which could force him out of the UFC 317 main event. 

Dricus Du Plessis And Khamzat Chimaev Fire Shots at Each Other on Social Media

Speculation grew even further when Chimaev himself took to social media to react to these rumours, stating: “this guy biggest bull****”. Evidently, the current number three ranked UFC middleweight contender is far from happy about his title shot potentially being called off. 

Meanwhile, Du Plessis took to social media to respond to Chimaev’s comment and chose to deflect these allegations by bringing up the Chechnya-born fighter’s record of pulling out of fights.

Du Plessis Has Been on Fire Since Nose Surgery

Naturally, as most cases when injury news comes out, some MMA fans are starting to question if the injury is a legitimate issue. Some fans believe Du Plessis could be using it as an easy get-out so he doesn’t have to face Chimaev. In reality, this is very much likely not the case; “Stillknocks” is as tough and as game as they come.

Du Plessis has taken the 185-pounds UFC division by storm, and has improved a tremendous amount ever since he got his nose fixed back in April 2023. Finally being able to breathe through his nose has drastically improved his cardio, thus meaning he can now work at a seriously high tempo for a middleweight. 

Since the operation on his nose, he has either faced current or former middleweight champions, and he has breezed past all of: Robert Whittaker (TKO – Round 2), Sean Strickland (Decision – Split), Israel Adesanya (SUB – Round 4), and Sean Strickland (Decision – Unanimous), improving his record to 23-2.

Is Chimaev Ready to Become UFC Middleweight Champion

During this same timeframe (since April 2023), Chimaev has had two fights fall through and seen action just twice: scraping a majority decision win against UFC middleweight debutant and former welterweight champ Kamaru Usman, and then dismantling former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker via a face crank in the first round.

Some people have raised issues with “Borz” being given a title shot when he’s only faced one legitimate middleweight fighter, Whittaker. Yet, we saw how easily he beat up the Australian and submitted him. However, Chimaev was quite clearly the bigger and stronger fighter in there at UFC 308, but Du Plessis certainly can match Chimaev’s physical stature, though, it remains to be seen who would have the strength advantage if they locked horns.

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