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After all the talk of an injury and where he'll fight next, UFC president Dana White has revealed all the details of DDP's next defence.
Dricus du Plessis’ next fight details have been confirmed. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images
It’s official. South Africa’s Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis (23 win 2 losses) will aim to defend his title on 16 August in Chicago.
In the early hours of Wednesday morning (SA time) UFC president Dana White made several big-fight announcements — one of which was DDP’s long-awaited defence against unbeaten Russian challenger Khamzat Chimaev (14-0) at UFC 319.
White confirmed the event will be held at the United Centre, marking a return to the venue after six years.
The fight has been a near formality ever since the South African successfully defended his strap for the second time against American Sean Strickland in February. His last four fights have been against former champions: Australian Robert Whittaker, Strickland (twice), and Nigeria’s Israel Adesanya.
‘Absolute chaos’
Chimaev will be aiming to extend his undefeated record, coming off a submission victory over Whittaker, his first fight in 10 months.
The Russian has been labeled a future champion since his arrival to the UFC in 2020 and he’ll have the opportunity to live up to those expectations.
But DDP — with his unorthodox fight style — has been almost unstoppable in the organisation, also since 2020, and will be looking to continue that upward curve.
The pair have been hyping up this fight for some time now, exchanging verbal blows on social media.
“It’s going to be absolute chaos. I just think, I don’t see him coming with a different game-plan, and me neither. I’m going out there to attack, I’m going out there to kill him,” DDP said on Australian podcast Submission Radio last year.
“I’m not going out there to defend Khamzat’s takedowns. I’m not going out there to defend, I’m going out there to attack. I think it’s going to look a little bit different,” he added.
Rumours of an injury
Straight after his second title defence, he continued to taunt the Russian.
“I want Khamzat next. He deserves a hiding,” Du Plessis said after he dispatched Strickland.
There were even rumours that were started on social media that DDP was injured, something that didn’t sit well with Chimaev.
“This guy biggest bulls**t,” the Russian said on X.
Du Plessis let these rumours bubble for about a week before extinguishing the fire.
“I found it all very entertaining, unfortunately none of it is true. 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.”
This matchup promises to be a pivotal clash in the middleweight landscape, with Du Plessis aiming to solidify his dominance against Chimaev.
Fans should prepare for a highly competitive fight that could redefine both fighters’ careers.
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