UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus du Plessis rubbishes rumours of injury

UFC middleweight Caio Borralho started up the rumour mill this week, claiming that he has inside knowledge from du Plessis' camp. The Brazilian claimed that the UFC champion had broken his leg and was set to pull out of a yet unannounced title defence. 

Challenger Khamzat Chimaev - the undefeated fighter in pole position to challenge du Plessis for the middleweight strap - also got in on the action, posting "this guy biggest bull****" on X.

Meanwhile, du Plessis has been sitting back, enjoying the fun and games. On Thursday, he took to Instagram to respond to the unfounded rumours.

"[OK], so everyone had their opinions and rumors and stories about a shin break and injuries etc," wrote the Pretoria native.

"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."

It's likely that Du Plessis' third title defence will headline UFC 317 during International Fight Week in Las Vegas on 28 June.

Du Plessis last defended his belt against Sean Strickland at UFC 312 in February, his second successful defence of the title he won in January 2024. 

With the 31-year-old having defeated many of the divisions' top contenders in Strickland (twice), Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker, the likes of Chimaev and Borralho are making noise to get their shot at the champion. 

READ MORE: Dominant Dricus du Plessis defends UFC Middleweight title