UFC

Dricus Du Plessis Faces Six-Month Layoff, Middleweight Title Picture in Turmoil

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By
Garrett Kerman
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Garrett Kerman Sports Editor

Garrett Kerman also goes by the name of The Fight Analyst. He covers all combat sports, from MMA, to boxing, to even bare-knuckle. He is also very well-versed in all American sports when it comes to news and betting analysis. Whether you want betting advice or some breaking news, Garrett is your guy.

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Sports Editor

Published23 Apr 2025

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The UFC middleweight division has been thrown into chaos as reigning champion Dricus Du Plessis is reportedly facing a significant injury that could sideline him for up to six months, casting doubt over his highly anticipated title defense against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 317. The news, first circulated by veteran journalist Kevin Iole, has since been echoed by top contender Caio Borralho, who claims to have received word from Du Plessis’s inner circle that the injury is “serious,” possibly involving a broken shin or other major leg issue

Injury Forces Du Plessis Out, UFC 317 Main Event in Jeopardy

Du Plessis, who has been on a tear since capturing the middleweight crown, was expected to headline International Fight Week on June 28 in Las Vegas. The South African champion’s withdrawal is a major blow to the UFC’s summer showcase, which was banking on the star power of a Du Plessis vs. Chimaev main event. With the champ potentially out for over half a year, speculation is mounting that the UFC may introduce an interim title, with Borralho himself lobbying for a shot against Chimaev in the meantime.

Social Media Firestorm: Chimaev and Du Plessis Trade Barbs

As news of the injury broke, Khamzat Chimaev wasted no time venting his frustration on social media, calling Du Plessis “the biggest bulls–t” in a blunt post that quickly went viral. Chimaev, who has been waiting for his shot at UFC gold after a dominant win over Robert Whittaker, is clearly losing patience with the delays.

Du Plessis, never one to back down from a verbal exchange, fired back by highlighting Chimaev’s own history of fight withdrawals. Posting side-by-side records from the past two and a half years, Du Plessis pointed out that while he’s made every walk to the Octagon, Chimaev has pulled out of multiple scheduled bouts, including high-profile matchups with Nate Diaz, Paulo Costa, and Whittaker. “Let’s take a look at the last +-2.5 years and tell me who’s bulls–t,” Du Plessis wrote, defending his own activity as champion.

The back-and-forth has only intensified fan interest in the matchup, but with Du Plessis’s injury now public, the UFC faces a race against time to salvage its International Fight Week card. Caio Borralho has openly campaigned for an interim title bout with Chimaev, suggesting that the UFC could move quickly to keep the division moving.

What’s Next for the Middleweight Division?

With Du Plessis expected to be out for as long as six months, the UFC is under pressure to make a decision. An interim title fight between Chimaev and Borralho is one possibility, but the promotion has yet to make any official announcements. The situation is fluid, and all eyes are on UFC President Dana White for an update in the coming days.

For now, the middleweight division is in limbo, with its champion on the shelf and contenders jockeying for position. As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the next chapter at 185 pounds will be defined not only by what happens in the cage, but by how the UFC navigates this unexpected setback at the top of the division.