Dana White says that UFC Champ Dricus Du Persis will finally fight Khamzat Chimaev.
Earlier this month, the photo of the middleweight was questioned after reports from Du Plessis that bore an injury, allowing him to defend his title.
Top candidates and former training partners Khamzat Chimaev and Caio Borralho flirt with the idea of fighting each other in the meantime before Du Plessis denied rumors about some injuries.
While the UFC continues to stack their summer schedule, a few potential superfights are missing in the line-up, such as the Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria, Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall and of course the middleweight battles between Du Plessis and Chimaev.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Dana White says that Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat has done Chimaev Deal, but not for UFC 317
About fighting rumors as he normally does, UFC CEO Dana White du Plessis vs. Chimaev on the deck, although he excludes one of the biggest shows of the year at UFC 317.
“We all know that fighting is happening,” White said at the press conference after the fight of the UFC Kansas City.
“The du Persis vs. Khamzat Vecht, it happens.
“It just doesn't happen in the International Vechtweek …
“That fight was done,” said White about Du Plessis vs Chimaev.
🚨 Dana White says that Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev was “done”, but not for the International Vechtweek
When asked for Ilia Topuria vs Islam Makhachev, Dana answers with a smile:
“We will see how it is going on.” 😭 #ufc #mmapic.twitter.com/bohae86gs6
– Championship Rounds (@champrds) 27 April 2025
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UFC 317 On 28 June, nine weeks was removed and has still not drawn up a main event from this moment. There are rumors about a potentially lightweight title fight between Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev as the most important event with Topuria that recently started training camp.
As for when we Chimaev vs. Du Plessis, UFC 319 would probably be the earliest date in August, the fight could take place because UFC 318 was put forward on July 19 by Dustin Poirier vs. Max Holloway 3.
Someone's 0 must go in Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev
Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev are both unbeaten in the UFC, where the champion drives an 11-Fight Win Streak and Chimaev with 14-0 like a pro. Chimaev has the chance to match the 9-0 UFC record of Du Plessis with another victory.
Despite winning a invoiced title -eliminator against former Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman on UFC 294, Chimaev should again prove himself for a title fight. The wrestling heavy bogeyman brutally submitted Robert Whittaker to UFC 308 in October and loosened his teeth with a first round face crank.
Whittaker is a common opponent for Du Plessis, where the South African stops him and Israel Adesanya in the distance. Du Plessis also beat twice as Sean Strickland twice over 10 action rounds.
The last time Du Plessis fought against a wrestler, he almost lost in a burnout fight against Derek Brunson. This was the last fight of Du Plessis with a respiratory disorder (deviant septum) in which the DIY-of-Die hunter eventually found a way to win, Brunson drilling to the Canvas after a cardio dump.
Chimaev has only seen the third round twice in his career, who has yet to test his cardio in the championship rounds where Du Plessis Adesanya submitted in their title fight on UFC 305 last August after a much needed nose operation.
We will see how well the cardio of Khamzat Chimaev is in a future fight with Du Plessis, which can now be announced every day.