Dricus du Plessis Confirms Title Defense Against Khamzat Chimaev on Two Possible Dates

LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Dricus du Plessis has confirmed that he and Khamzat Chimaev have verbally agreed on two possible dates for their highly anticipated title fight in the UFC middleweight division. Du Plessis announced the update on an interview on May 7, 2025, revealing that fans can expect an official announcement soon.

According to du Plessis, both fighters have committed to fighting no later than September. “So we have a date. But we have the potential of two dates. I already agreed to both. A lot of people are saying, ‘Is it this year?’ Yes, 100 percent. It’s not far away,” du Plessis stated. He assured fans that there is no truth to recent rumors about injuries sidelining him.

Du Plessis, the reigning UFC middleweight champion, expressed confidence in his preparations. “The announcement will be made soon. Me and the UFC, we’ve known. All these rumors that came out with injuries, I don’t know where it came from,” he added. “We’ve already agreed on a date. That’s been a while ago.”

As of now, nothing is signed, but du Plessis is eager to step back into the octagon. He is currently riding a wave of success, having achieved a unanimous decision victory over rival Sean Strickland in February, which marked his second successful title defense and propelled his UFC record to 9-0.

Du Plessis also shared his thoughts on Chimaev’s wrestling ability, stating, “His wrestling is world class. It’s phenomenal. But when the night comes, it’s not about teaching him a lesson, it’s about proving once again that I will be the greatest of all-time.”

Despite concerns about Chimaev’s potential withdrawal from the fight, du Plessis emphasized his readiness to face any opponent. “I don’t prepare for Khamzat. I prepare to be the best Dricus. If he pulls out fight week, UFC will get somebody else. There’s a lot of contenders right now, and whoever they put in there, I’ll be ready for it,” he stated.

Fans are eagerly anticipating the matchup, which many believe has the potential to be one of the biggest fights of the year.