Dana White in trouble as Khamzat Chimaev fight against Dricus Du Plessis faces major hurdle

Report: Champ Dricus Du Plessis out of action; presumed UFC 317 PPV title headliner vs. Khamzat Chimaev on hold for International Fight Week.

Dana White in trouble as Khamzat Chimaev fight against Dricus Du Plessis faces major hurdle

Dricus Du Plessis injury nixes Khamzat Chimaev title fight (Source: X/IMAGO)

A key middleweight scrapper was rumored to headline International Fight Week during the UFC 317 PPV card. The IFW festivities go live on 26 June in Las Vegas with the return of UFC X and the HOF Ceremony. The event caps off with a PPV card on 28 June at the T-Mobile grounds. UFC champ Dricus Du Plessis versus top crop Khamzat Chimaev had been the potential barnburner for such an event for a while now.

However, Dana White and Hunter Campbell would have to scout new names from the roster. Reportedly, UFC 185-pound kingpin Dricus Du Plessis is injured. That is according to MMA journalist Kevin Iole, who released the info in a late Friday featured article. The Afrikaner is 3-0 in title tints and fresh off a second defense at the UFC 312 PPV headliner.

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…So Makhachev will be needed for Las Vegas in June.

Kevin Iole on keviniole.com
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Chimaev’s talent manager, Rassoul Chamsoudinov, had teased a future UFC Pay-Per-View event. But if this comes to pass, a DDP vs. Khamzat Chimaev scrap will bounce to a later date. This will be the first time Du Plessis and his unique scrapping style will miss a PPV title date since becoming a champ, early January 2024.

Meanwhile, Borz has had the promise of gold many times now. He cemented his position as the 185-pound top contender with a first-round submission over Robert Whittaker this past October.

Per Chamsoudinov and other sources, the Chechen fighter had started camp in Kislovodsk after his UFC 308 PPV bout. Nothing is confirmed yet, and the champ’s team has not made it official. But seemingly, Chimaev has had the blessing for a title crack. Only time will tell how the International Fight Week will roll from here.

What happens to International Fight Week?

As the Iole piece noted, UFC matchmakers need another premier matchup to headline the UFC 317 PPV fight card. There are a lot of fights to make on the board, and the last few IFW affairs have been short. Conor McGregor was to make a supposed return in the last one, during the UFC 303 PPV card. However, that fell short.

UFC 317 during International Fight Week in need of new headliner
UFC 317 during International Fight Week in need of new headliner (Source: X)

Flyweight champ Alexandre Pantoja vs. veteran finisher Kai Kara-France is a prime option. During recent card telecasts, Pantoja came on flashcards for UFC 316 and UFC 317 events, riling up fans. Kara-France also said the wrong ‘Kai’ got the title crack, and this was the skills test to make. Pantoja has also been eager to let the little guys at 125 and above do the talking and headline international events.

However, draw-wise, this wouldn’t be the biggest bet and that big of a splash as an International Fight Week showcase. Another option on the docket would be longtime reigning UFC 155-pound kingpin Islam Makhachev.

Two out of his first four defenses came against a former featherweight champ. The dominant Dagestani has had a long strain of fighting against current/former 145-pounders. Hence, Makhachev’s team has poured cold water over a PPV clash against Ilia Topuria.

Iole namedropped lightweight Justin Gaethje as a good sport for the champ. Human ‘Highlight’ is fresh off a decision win over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313. He fits the bill all too well, and even Team Makhachev once said this would be a good way to go.

When will Khamzat Chimaev return?

Khamzat Chimaev had been hyping up chances for a presumable Dricus Du Plessis clash for a while now. But if the champ is out of commission, then there are chances it can be rebooked. However, with his (arguable) VISA issues, Borz and his travel plans for an Internal Fight week card, stateside, were always in doubt. With Islam Makhachev already under the tab for IFW, it would have also made little sense to have another big Islamic fighter on the same stack as a probable co-main.

Khamzat Chimaev can yet have his crack at gold
Khamzat Chimaev can yet have his crack at gold (Source: X)

The Team Allstars Training Center fighter is a good draw in Abu Dhabi. With UFC Fight Night (UFC on ABC 7), in August and UFC 308 in October, the UFC made two trips to Abu Dhabi in 2024. A UFC Fight Night event will take place on July 26 at Etihad Arena in the area. Chimaev would be a top name to headline the next affair.

Related: Spain to South Africa: How Dana White’s 2025 dreams could see UFC traveling to never-before venues