UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis has spoken out to address rumors about his health and fight plans. Recently, some people believed he was injured and unable to defend his title, with talks of a broken shin spreading fast. However, in a statement shared on Instagram on April 24 2025, Du Plessis set the record straight, denying any injury and revealing that he is already working with the UFC on his next fight.
Origin of the Injury Rumors and Borralho’s Claims
The rumors started when UFC fighter Caio Borralho spoke on Submission Radio on April 22, 2025. He shared what he heard about Du Plessis, saying:
“Two people messaged me and said, ‘Did you see that DDP got injured. He broke his leg in half.’ People were saying that. I think it’s some shin problem, he was kicking somewhere and broke his shin. I don’t know, I’m not sure about it. I just heard about it. People say there’s actually articles about it. I said they must send them to me. Both [people] said, ‘I think they erased the article.”
Borralho also mentioned a reaction from Khamzat Chimaev that made him believe the rumors, stating:
“Then I saw Khamzat’s Twitter, where he was saying, ‘This guy [Du Plessis] is biggest bulls**t’. Then I was 100% sure he was injured.”
These claims led to speculation that a planned fight between Du Plessis and Chimaev at UFC 317 on June 28 2025 might be delayed.
Du Plessis Responds and Confirms Fight Plans
Du Plessis quickly responded to clear up the confusion. In his Instagram statement, he said:
“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.”
His words confirm he is not injured and has not withdrawn from any fight. He also made it clear that the rumored June 28 fight was never officially set, but he is preparing for his next title defense, with an announcement expected soon.
What’s Next for the UFC Middleweight Champion
Du Plessis, the first South African UFC champion, last fought on February 9 2025, defending his middleweight title against Sean Strickland at UFC 312 in Sydney, Australia. He won by unanimous decision, marking his second successful title defense after submitting Israel Adesanya in August 2024. With a record of 23 wins and 2 losses, Du Plessis has been unbeatable in the UFC, winning all nine of his fights in the promotion.
Fans are now eagerly waiting for his next fight announcement, which is likely to be against either Khamzat Chimaev or Caio Borralho, both of whom have been calling him out. Chimaev remains undefeated at 14 wins, while Borralho is on a 17-fight unbeaten streak.
