Dricus Du Plessis’ coach calls ‘BS’ on injury reports; reveals waiting for UFC contract to sign

UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis’s coach shut down all comments about injury and gave an update about fighting Khamzat Chimaev.

Dricus Du Plessis’ coach calls ‘BS’ on injury reports; reveals waiting for UFC contract to sign

Dricus Du Plessis will be fighting Khamzat Chimaev next, says coach (via Imago/Instagram)

Dricus Du Plessis is the current middleweight champion and has already defended his title twice against former champions. The South African had an impression of having a weird fighting style, but consistent wins have ended that narrative. Currently, the fighter is expected to defend his belt against top undefeated contender, Khamzat Chimaev, but, there is some confusion. 

Initial reports stated Chimaev would face Du Plessis at UFC 317 during International Fight Week’s anticipated celebration. Following that, unexpected rumors emerged claiming Du Plessis had suffered an injury and withdrew, shocking fans and creating uncertainty. Recently, Du Plessis’ coach, Morne Visser, denied all injury reports, confidently confirming his fighter’s health and commitment to competing soon. 

We’ve been talking to the UFC, myself and Dricus and the UFC have been on the same page about this whole thing from the word go…We were talking about it but no injuries, man, that’s BS. We’re fighting Khamzat Chimaev, we are actually waiting for the contract so it’s going to be soon. Definitely not going to be International Fight Week, they’ve got something else planned for that.

Morne Visser via Submission Radio 

Visser also issued a warning to Chimaev, urging him not to withdraw due to his past pattern of cancellations. When injury rumors spread online, Chimaev quickly responded by mocking Du Plessis on social media, further fueling the rivalry. Just like his coach, the reigning champion addressed the rumors through a calm, clarifying statement on his recent Instagram post.

Both fighters have already engaged in heated exchanges, with Chimaev frequently mocking Du Plessis’ legitimacy and questioning his championship credentials. DDP responded by criticizing Chimaev’s history of withdrawals and talked about ruining his undefeated record. Their rivalry intensified through Instagram posts, where Chimaev posted memes, setting the recipe for a grudge fight. 

UFC veteran predicts Khamzat Chimaev vs. Dricus Du Plessis title fight

Khamzat Chimaev stormed into the UFC spotlight by finishing opponents quickly and showcasing an unmatched level of aggression and confidence. He defeated fighters like Kevin Holland, Li Jingliang, and Gilbert Burns to become a contender. His wrestling background allowed him to ragdoll seasoned professionals, breaking the jaw of former champion Robert Whittaker. 

Dricus Du Plessis might be the underdog against Khamzat Chimaev
Dricus Du Plessis might be the underdog against Khamzat Chimaev (via X)

Chimaev’s rapid rise, combined with flawless ground game, earned him millions of fans, making him a top candidate to win the title. However, health issues and fight cancellations have delayed his title run, but now he’s just one step away from UFC glory. In a recent interview, former UFC fighter Yoel Romero had his prediction for the fight, inclining towards the ‘Borz’ 

It’s very difficult, but 60-40 Chimaev. 60 percent for Chimaev, 40 percent for du Plessis. Wrestling…the wrestling for Chimaev right now is very, very dangerous. It’s Olympic level.

Yoel Romero via Submission Radio 

Chimaev has been sharpening his wrestling skills since childhood and is regarded as the best in the current roster. He has been observed having sessions with Olympic gold medalists such as Razambek Zhamalov etc to enhance his grappling. However, the champion doesn’t seem to be bothered by this and is excited for the challenge.

Can Dricus Du Plessis beat Khamzat Chimaev?

Dricus Du Plessis can beat Khamzat Chimaev if he drags the fight into deep waters where cardio becomes crucial. Chimaev noticeably slowed against Gilbert Burns after an explosive start, struggling to maintain pressure during the fight’s later rounds. Against Kamaru Usman, he dominated early but significantly faded in round three, allowing Usman to rally and outscore him late.

Dricus Du Plessis's only way to beat Khamzat Chimaev
Dricus Du Plessis’s only way to beat Khamzat Chimaev (via X)

If Du Plessis survives the early storm, his durability and conditioning could overwhelm a visibly exhausted Chimaev in championship rounds. On top of that, his unpredictable style and relentless pressure can be major factors in beating the Russian.

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