Dricus Du Plessis’ head coach, Morne Visser, has provided clarity on the timeline for the highly anticipated fight between Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev. While rumors regarding Du Plessis’ injury were circulating, both the fighter and his coach have set the record straight. Visser confirmed that the fight against Chimaev is still very much on the horizon, but it won’t take place on June 28 at UFC 317 during International Fight Week.

“We haven’t signed a contract, and the fight was never confirmed,” Visser told Submission Radio, addressing the recent speculation. “Du Plessis has no injuries, man – that’s bullsh*t. We’re fighting Khamzat. We’re actually waiting for the contract, so it’s going to be soon.” These comments have quelled rumors surrounding Du Plessis’ health and have reassured fans that the fight against Chimaev is in the works, even though the timing and official announcement are yet to be finalized.

Visser also emphasized that the fight against Chimaev would not happen during International Fight Week, as some had speculated. “Definitely not going to be International Fight Week – they’ve got something else planned for that,” Visser explained. “I’m sure everybody knows about what they’ve got planned – also not 100 percent confirmed. But we’re fighting Khamzat, we’re waiting for the contract, so it’s a done deal.”

The coach revealed that the UFC is in the process of finalizing the contract, and an official announcement is expected soon. “We’ll most probably get a contract from the UFC within the next two weeks,” Visser said. “It will most probably be announced in the next two weeks. I’m not sure about dates or location, but as soon as maybe August, just around the corner.”

The ongoing discussions have given fans a clearer sense of when they can expect the highly anticipated clash between the two middleweight contenders. “I mean, we were supposed to fight him in June. That was the talks. So, August? Yeah. Eight weeks later, maybe September,” Visser added. This suggests that the fight will take place a little later than initially expected, with August or September now looking like the likely timeframe.

Visser also revealed his preferred location for the fight, which further adds to the intrigue. “We’d like to fight him in the U.A.E.,” he said. “I think he’s got a massive fanbase there, and it will be nice to really slam him and slap him on the floor in front of his people.” The U.A.E. has increasingly become a key destination for high-profile UFC events, with the organization holding numerous events in the region over the past few years. A showdown between Du Plessis and Chimaev in such a venue would certainly add extra excitement to the bout, considering the popularity of both fighters and the passionate fanbase in the area.

Du Plessis, who is currently undefeated in the UFC with a 9-0 record, is coming off a dominant victory in his most recent fight at UFC 312 in February, where he defeated Sean Strickland for the second time. The South African middleweight has made it clear that he has his sights set on Chimaev, the undefeated fighter from Chechnya who has quickly become one of the most dangerous prospects in the division. Despite some setbacks in terms of scheduling, both Du Plessis and Visser are confident that the fight will come to fruition soon, and the anticipation for what could be a career-defining moment for both fighters continues to build.

With the date and venue still in flux, the wait for this fight continues to fuel excitement among UFC fans. Du Plessis, who has been dominant in his rise to the top of the middleweight division, will now face one of the most dangerous and hyped prospects in the sport. Chimaev, whose undefeated streak has made him a formidable contender, will undoubtedly be looking to cement his status as one of the top fighters in the division.

For now, fans will have to wait for the official announcement, but it seems that the showdown between Du Plessis and Chimaev is on the horizon. As the contract negotiations continue, both fighters will be gearing up for what promises to be one of the most exciting matchups in the middleweight division in recent memory.