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There had been talk that the South African was nursing an injury and wouldn't fight in June, but that now appears to not be the case.
Dricus du Plessis says he’s ready to fight soon. Picture: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Never believe everything you read.
And in this case, thankfully, this phrase rings true.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight title holder Dricus du Plessis on Thursday put to bed all the rumors that he was injured and unable to defend his title later this year.
‘I am the champion’
“Okey so everyone had their opinions and rumours and stories about a shin break and injuries etc,” Du Plessis said on social media on Thursday.
“I found it all very entertaining, unfortunately none of it is true. Myself and @ufc already discussed a fight date and opponent and 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.”
Next title defence
It has been hotly tipped that DDP’s third title defence will headline UFC 317 at International Fight Week in Las Vegas on 28 June.
His obvious opponent looks set to be Russian wrestler Khamzat Chimaev as the two have had their fair share of banter ever since Du Plessis’ last title defence against American Sean Strickland in February.
Now that the injury rumors seem to be false, it is time for the UFC bosses to make an announcement about the next big fight, sooner rather than later.
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