It’s official: South Africa’s UFC middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis, will defend his title against the dangerous Khamzat Chimaev. UFC president Dana White confirmed the long-rumored bout will take place on August 16 in Chicago, USA.
Du Plessis vs. Chimaev: No Fear, No Evasion
The matchup has been brewing for months, and fans have eagerly awaited confirmation. Earlier this year, du Plessis made it clear he’s not backing down from Chimaev’s grappling-heavy style — a skill set that has rattled many opponents.
“I think everyone’s been moving backwards, trying to avoid the takedown,” du Plessis told reporters. “I’m not scared of Khamzat’s wrestling. I won’t avoid the ground. That’s where others go wrong. I’ll fight him wherever it goes.”
The African Dream: Why UFC in South Africa Isn’t Happening Yet
While du Plessis continues to chase greatness inside the Octagon, he also holds onto a personal dream — headlining a UFC event on African soil. But according to the champ, financial hurdles stand in the way.
Speaking on the Sias du Plessis Show, Dricus broke down the harsh economics.
“A ticket at the T-Mobile Arena costs around $300 for the cheapest seat — that’s about R6,000. Ringside goes for $45,000, or roughly R900,000. That’s just not feasible in South Africa right now,” he said.
Even with suitable venues like 14,000-seater arenas available, ticket prices would need to be extremely high to make the event viable.
“Where are you going to find 14,000 people willing to pay R10,000 or more for the cheapest seats? That’s the challenge,” he explained. “Hosting UFC Africa is my dream, and South Africa’s dream, but the UFC is still a business — it has to make financial sense.”
Despite the hurdles, du Plessis remains hopeful. The UFC has expressed interest in bringing an event to Africa, but as he puts it, “They just need to figure out how to make it work.”
