Report: Dricus du Plessis Injury Cancels Khamzat Chimaev Title Fight; UFC 317 Seeks New Main Event

Okay, so picture this: You’re all geared up for a monster showdown, right? The kind with two gladiators—Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev—both ready to throw down in the octagon. Everyone’s been buzzing about their clash for UFC 317, the flagship event for International Fight Week in June. You could practically hear the roar from the crowd already, couldn’t you?

Oh, but hang on a sec. Turns out, Dricus du Plessis, the guy who’s been sitting on the champ’s throne since, what, January 2024? Yeah, he might not make it. Rumor has it he’s taken a hit from the injury bug—no official confirmation yet, though. The scoop came from Kevin Iole—awesome vet journalist who’s got this knack for the inside track on all things MMA. He dropped the news on a random Friday because, why not, right? Sent shockwaves everywhere.

Now, Iole’s saying, “I think Dricus is hurt. If that sticks, no headlining at IFW for him and Chimaev.” Huh. Strange way to hear about it, buried in some column about Islam Makhachev, but that’s the chaos, I guess. Guess what? Makhachev might be stepping into the spotlight in Vegas. So, mixed feelings here. I mean, where does all this leave Chimaev, you ask? Dude’s poised to ride his streak into a title shot. And the fans? It’s like promising a kid candy and then snatching it away. Total bummer.

If all these murmurs turn out true, it’s kind of a mess for everyone. Oh, and throw in UFC’s dilemma of crafting a backup plan. I mean, we’re still set with that flyweight brawl between Alexandre Pantoja and the spirited Kai Kara-France, but come on, it’s Vegas—needs fireworks!

So yeah, it’s a bit of a dumpster fire at the moment. Stay tuned—Iole might break something else any second. And, for all the rollercoaster of news on Du Plessis vs. Chimaev or UFC 317, or heck, any mixed martial arts gossip, Mania’s got the updates. Let’s see how this carnival of chaos pans out.