UFC 317 on June 25, throughout Worldwide Battle Week, was anticipated to be headlined by a middleweight title bout between champion Dricus Du Plessis (23-2) and the undefeated Khamzat Chamaev (14-0). That has reportedly modified.
Veteran reporter Kevin Iole reported that Du Plessis is injured and the battle card at T-Cellular Enviornment in Las Vegas must discover a new essential occasion.
“I’m listening to Dricus Du Plessis is injured, and although there was no affirmation, if that’s correct, a bout between Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev couldn’t headline IFW,” Iole wrote on his web site.
Du Plessis received the 185-pound championship in January 2024 defeating Sean Strickland at UFC 297 by way of break up choice. He defended the title in opposition to former two-time titleholder Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 earlier than defeating Strickland in a rematch at UFC 312. The South African’s final 4 wins have been over former champions. The final Du Plessis tasted defeat was in October 2018.
Chimaev walked by means of former champion Robert Whittaker in his final battle at UFC 308 in October. Earlier than his rematch with Strickland, Du Plessis wished to face Chimaev however the battle promotion opted to guide the rematch with “Tarzan” as a substitute.
The UFC has not commented about Du Plessis’ reported harm.
