Dricus du Plessis clarifies rumors about his health and upcoming fight status.
Speculations have been circulating about a possible injury to the UFC middleweight champion, prompting contenders Khamzat Chimaev and Caio Borralho to call him out for not being available to defend his title. Du Plessis addressed the rumors in a statement shared on social media on Thursday.
“[OK], so everyone had their opinions and rumors and stories about a shin break and injuries etc.
“I found it all very entertaining, unfortunately none of it is true myself and [UFC] already discussed a fight date and opponent, the June fight was never signed 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. Fight announcement coming soon stay tuned.”
Du Plessis did not provide an estimated timetable for when his next title fight announcement will be made nor when the actual booking will take place, but by his account he plans to defend again in 2025.
The South African star most recently defended his belt in a rematch against Sean Strickland at UFC 312 this past February. Du Plessis (23-2) won a unanimous decision over a listless Strickland to record his second straight title defense following a fourth-round submission of Israel Adesanya at UFC 312. He has won all nine of his UFC appearances.
In all likelihood, it will be the undefeated Chimaev or Borralho who gets their shot at du Plessis. Chimaev is yet to lose in 14 pro bouts and has finished all but one of his opponents, while Borralho is on a 17-fight unbeaten streak including a 7-0 UFC mark.