A potential middleweight clash between current UFC champion Dricus du Plessis and undefeated sensation Khamzat Chimaev will presumably have to wait following an apparent injury to “DDP.” The 185-pound clash was expected to headline UFC 317 at UFC’s International Fight Week this June.

This is according to veteran MMA journalist Kevin Iole, who leaked the unfortunate news on Friday. Nothing has been completely confirmed as of yet, but the belief is that DDP vs. Chimaev will be bumped to later in the year.

“I’m hearing Dricus du Plessis is injured, and though there has been no confirmation, if that’s accurate, a bout between Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev couldn’t headline IFW,” wrote Iole in a Friday article about UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.

“So Makhachev will be needed for Las Vegas in June.”

If true, this is bad news for all involved. For du Plessis, this would be the first time he’s needed to miss time since becoming UFC champion back in January 2024. For Chimaev, this would be another missed opportunity to capitalize on his UFC success and turn it into an actual title fight. For fight fans, it’s a blown chance to see the two best middleweights in the world go toe-to-toe.

Looks like Chimaev may be training for someone else.

As mentioned in Iole’s article, UFC matchmakers would need to bring in another premier matchup to help headline a UFC 317 fight card this summer if DDP is in fact out of commission. The “Sin City” event will already feature a flyweight scrap between current UFC champion Alexandre Pantoja and veteran finisher Kai Kara-France, but the card still needs serious help for a memorable International Fight Week showcase.

Stick with Mania for more news on Du Plessis vs. Chimaev, UFC 317, and much more!

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