Khamzat Chimaev has ignited speculation of a UFC middleweight title bout against Dricus Du Plessis after posting a cryptic two-word message on X, just days after UFC President Dana White suggested an announcement was imminent for UFC 317. Following his win over Robert Whittaker at UFC 308, Khamzat Chimaev has been expected to fight for the middleweight championship next. With Dricus Du Plessis recently defending his title for the second time against Sean Strickland at UFC 312, fans have heavily pushed for the South African champion to face Chimaev.
Speculation gained momentum this past weekend after White hinted that UFC 317’s main event, potentially Du Plessis vs Chimaev, could be confirmed soon. Speaking after UFC 314 in Miami, White said, “Yeah, that would be fun… Tuesday,” suggesting a formal announcement may be just days away.
On Monday, April 14, 2025, Chimaev posted a short but explosive update: “Good news 📰.” The two-word message quickly went viral, with fans interpreting it as confirmation that the fight is set for June 28 during International Fight Week. Chimaev, who has faced past visa complications, is now believed to have no barriers to competing in the United States.
Fan reactions to the post ranged from celebratory to confrontational, with comments like “DDP vs Khamzat International Fight Week confirmed” and “The date is set for DDP’s execution.” Others questioned the logistics: “Got a passport? Visa?” Despite Chimaev’s unbeaten run and dominant record, many analysts believe Du Plessis poses the toughest challenge yet.
Known for his unorthodox style and fierce mic presence, Du Plessis has gained a strong following, especially after stirring verbal exchanges with fighters like Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya. If finalized, the matchup between Du Plessis and Chimaev promises a highly charged buildup and a potentially explosive clash in the octagon, with high stakes and reputations on the line.
As the anticipation builds, the UFC’s plans for this year’s International Fight Week have been further fueled by a leak from former welterweight title challenger Colby Covington. During a casual broadcast with prominent streamer N3on, Covington may have let the cat out of the bag about what could be one of the most stacked cards of 2025.
While discussing the UFC’s summer calendar, Covington stated that the next major pay-per-view is scheduled for late June in Las Vegas, lining up with the annual International Fight Week celebration. When pressed on who might headline the card, Covington dropped a bomb: the UFC is reportedly booking Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria as the main event. He said, “They haven’t announced it, but I think it’s going to be Makhachev and Topuria.”
Both are titans of the fight game—Makhachev at lightweight and Topuria at featherweight have ruled over everyone they faced. So, as expected, fans are excited about the idea of a superfight between two phenoms. Covington described it as “a sick fight,” and even his livestream partner N3on couldn’t contain his excitement, calling the matchup “crazy” and “f—— insane.”
But the surprises did not end there. ‘Chaos’ then revealed details about the co-main event, claiming that middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis will defend his title against the unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev. ‘Chaos’ revealed, “And they’re talking about maybe putting the co-main… Who’s the co-main? I think the 85 title fight between Dricus Du Plessis versus Khamzat Chimaev.”
The South African champion recently reinforced his position in the division by defeating Sean Strickland in a brutal rematch. Meanwhile, Chimaev has been waiting for a title shot as he remains one of the most feared and talked-about fighters in the UFC. If Covington’s leak is real, fans should expect a high-stakes, all-action fight.
While none of this has been publicly confirmed by the UFC, Colby Covington’s words lend credibility to the allegation. International Fight Week is renowned for putting on spectacular shows, and this prospective lineup could be one of the biggest in years.
It’s unclear whether ‘Chaos’ has insider knowledge or is just stirring the pot, but if he’s right, UFC fans are in for an amazing summer. However, it is worth noting that this wasn’t the only massive leak by the American fighter during the stream. Apart from the fight game, ‘Chaos’ also leaked a DM by a famous female celebrity who confessed that she is a fan of the UFC fighter.
In classic ‘Chaos’ mode, he didn’t simply stir the MMA pot; he nonchalantly opened his DMs to expose a surprise name that no one expected: Megan Fox. Yes, that Megan Fox. The Hollywood celebrity, best known for her performances in Transformers and for being the subject of numerous tabloid scandals, seemed to have reached out to Covington with surprising admiration.
“She’s in my DMs,” ‘Chaos’ replied with a grin that spoke volumes. This bizarre moment crossed the border between fight culture and pop culture, demonstrating once more that Covington lives rent-free in more minds than you’d think.
Covington read the DM aloud after N3on’s request, revealing a message that praised his UFC image. Fox said that he reminded her of Chael Sonnen, and she appreciated how difficult it must be to keep in “character” when someone’s natural temperament is softer. “You deserve to be a superstar,” she said.
Despite the abuse he receives for his over-the-top promos, crazy comments, and political leanings, ‘Chaos’ found validation from an unexpected source: Hollywood royalty. It was a bizarre moment that could leave fans questioning the motives behind the DM.
As the UFC gears up for what promises to be a monumental International Fight Week, the stage is set for epic clashes and thrilling narratives. With Chimaev and Du Plessis potentially headlining the co-main event alongside Makhachev and Topuria, fans are left eagerly anticipating the action that awaits.
