The MMA world is in an uproar after a fiery outburst from UFC middleweight contender Khamzat Chimaev, who unleashed a vicious verbal assault on middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis following the cancellation of their highly anticipated title fight. Chimaev, known for his brash demeanor and unbeaten record, didn’t hold back, calling Du Plessis a “scared little bit*h” and accusing him of ducking the fight, escalating their rivalry to new heights just weeks after the bout was officially scrapped.
Chimaev’s Explosive Rant
The drama unfolded during an interview with MMA Junkie in Stockholm at 2:00 PM +07 today, where Chimaev, 29, expressed his frustration over the cancellation of his title shot against Du Plessis (21-2, 9 KOs), which was scheduled for UFC 316 on June 14, 2025, in Abu Dhabi. “He’s a scared little bit*h!” Chimaev roared, his voice dripping with disdain. “Dricus knows he can’t beat me, so he pulled out with some fake injury. I’m the real champion—he’s just holding my belt. I’ll smash him whenever he stops running!”
Chimaev’s comments come after the UFC announced on April 25 that Du Plessis had withdrawn from the fight due to a nagging shoulder injury sustained during his last title defense against Sean Strickland at UFC 312 in January 2025, where he won by split decision. Du Plessis, 31, has since undergone surgery and is expected to be sidelined until late 2025, prompting the UFC to book Chimaev against Robert Whittaker instead for the June 14 event. But Chimaev isn’t buying the injury excuse, claiming it’s a convenient way for Du Plessis to avoid a dangerous opponent.
A Rivalry Fueled by Bad Blood
The bad blood between Chimaev (14-0, 6 KOs) and Du Plessis has been brewing since late 2024, when Du Plessis called out Chimaev after his knockout win over Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in August 2024. Chimaev, who has been chasing a title shot since his dominant decision victory over Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 in October 2023, responded by vowing to “break” Du Plessis in the octagon. The two were set to headline UFC 316 in a fight that promised fireworks, given Chimaev’s relentless wrestling and striking against Du Plessis’ well-rounded skills and knockout power.
Du Plessis, however, has a history of resilience, having won the middleweight title from Adesanya and defended it twice against Strickland and Jared Cannonier. His team released a statement on April 26, saying, “Dricus is devastated to miss this fight, but his health comes first. He’ll be back stronger than ever to defend his belt.” Chimaev, however, dismissed the statement as “excuses,” doubling down on his accusations during the interview. “If he’s a real man, he’d fight through the pain like I have,” Chimaev said, referencing his own battles with injuries and illness, including a severe case of COVID-19 in 2021 that nearly forced him to retire.
The MMA Community Reacts
Chimaev’s comments have ignited a firestorm of reactions across the MMA world. On X, fans were quick to take sides, with one user writing, “Chimaev calling out DDP like that is savage—he’s ready to take that belt!” Another countered, “Khamzat needs to chill—DDP is injured, not scared. This is disrespectful.” The hashtag #ChimaevVsDuPlessis trended worldwide, reflecting the intense interest in this feud.
Other fighters have also weighed in. Former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, who lost to Du Plessis in 2024, sided with Chimaev on his YouTube channel, saying, “I think Dricus is dodging Khamzat. That shoulder injury came at the perfect time—too convenient.” Meanwhile, Sean Strickland, who lost to Du Plessis in January, defended the champion on X, posting, “Khamzat talks a big game, but Dricus would piece him up. Injury ain’t fake—Khamzat just wants attention.”
What’s Next for Chimaev and Du Plessis?
With the title fight off, Chimaev will now face former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in a five-round main event at UFC 316 on June 14 in Abu Dhabi. A win could solidify Chimaev’s claim to the next title shot, though his path to the belt may depend on Du Plessis’ recovery timeline. Du Plessis is expected to return in late 2025, with the UFC eyeing a potential rescheduling of the Chimaev fight for UFC 319 in December 2025 in Las Vegas, assuming both fighters remain healthy.
For now, Chimaev’s fiery words have added a new layer of intensity to this rivalry, painting Du Plessis as a target he’s determined to destroy. Whether Du Plessis’ injury is legitimate or, as Chimaev claims, a convenient excuse to avoid a dangerous opponent, one thing is certain: when these two finally meet in the octagon, the bad blood will make for an unforgettable showdown.
