Khamzat Chimaev: ‘The Destroyer’ Whittaker, the Middleweight Title Hunter, Explodes as Du Plessis ‘Disappears’ Due to Injury – UFC 317 Falls Apart

The chaos surrounding UFC 317 has delivered a narrative twist no one saw coming. As the middleweight division prepared for its most anticipated title showdown of the year between Khamzat Chimaev and reigning champion Dricus Du Plessis, the hype train came to a screeching halt. Du Plessis, dealing with a sudden and mysterious injury, was forced to withdraw—leaving fans, fighters, and UFC president Dana White scrambling to save what was once a blockbuster card. Now, Chimaev’s focus shifts to Robert Whittaker, and his title ambitions have taken on a new level of urgency.

Khamzat Chimaev: The unstoppable middleweight title hunter

Khamzat “Borz” Chimaev has been the UFC’s most feared and unpredictable force since he burst onto the scene in 2020. Undefeated, relentless, and ferocious in both his grappling and striking, Chimaev has bulldozed opponents across two weight classes—welterweight and middleweight. With every dominant win, the question has not been “if” he will fight for a title, but “when.”

His performance against former champion Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi was a defining moment. Although it was a majority decision win, Chimaev displayed elite wrestling, endurance, and fight IQ against a battle-tested veteran. The UFC immediately aligned him for a title fight at UFC 297, but visa issues delayed the bout. Instead, it was pushed to UFC 317—until Du Plessis pulled out.

Chimaev’s frustration is palpable. He trained for months, sharpened his already lethal skills, and committed to a brutal camp, only for the title shot to evaporate. Now, Chimaev is calling for blood. And the target? Former middleweight king Robert Whittaker.

Robert Whittaker: A dangerous new mission for Chimaev

If Chimaev vs. Du Plessis was a chess match for the middleweight crown, then Chimaev vs. Robert Whittaker is a firefight. Whittaker, one of the division’s most experienced and technically sound strikers, presents a different set of challenges—speed, footwork, high fight IQ, and world-class takedown defense.

Whittaker is not a warm-up fight. He’s not a replacement. He’s a former champion with wins over Yoel Romero, Darren Till, Jared Cannonier, and Marvin Vettori. His only losses in the last seven years came to Israel Adesanya, and even those were competitive. A win over Whittaker would not only justify Chimaev’s title ambitions—it would skyrocket him past any doubts about his readiness for gold.

But Chimaev isn’t just chasing belts anymore. He’s chasing legacy. In his own words: “I came to kill everyone. I’m the king now. If Du Plessis is scared, send me Whittaker. I’ll destroy him too.”

Dricus Du Plessis: The disappearing act that stunned the UFC

When Dricus Du Plessis defeated Sean Strickland to win the middleweight title in early 2024, he was hailed as the division’s future. Tough, unpredictable, and surprisingly technical, Du Plessis was the underdog-turned-champion story that UFC fans love. But his title reign has yet to see a defense—and now, that moment may be slipping away.

Reports indicate that Du Plessis suffered an undisclosed injury during training camp. Some insiders suggest it’s a rib or shoulder issue, while others hint at a lingering problem from his Strickland fight. Whatever the case, Du Plessis’ sudden withdrawal has left the division in limbo.

What’s worse is the lack of transparency. Neither Du Plessis nor his camp has publicly confirmed the extent of the injury, the recovery timeline, or a return date. UFC fans, already skeptical of long layoffs and champion pullouts, are questioning whether Du Plessis has the mindset to hold onto the throne—or if he’s already slipping into obscurity.

Chimaev has not minced words. “He ran away, just like Costa. Just like the rest.” The implication is clear: Du Plessis’ injury is being viewed as an excuse to dodge the most terrifying contender the division has seen in years.

UFC 317 falls apart: Title hopes shattered, fans outraged

UFC 317 was meant to be a showstopper. The centerpiece was a middleweight title clash with massive implications. Now, without Du Plessis, the card has lost its marquee. Even if Chimaev vs. Whittaker is added as a co-main or main event, it will be a non-title bout—lacking the gold that fans crave.

Social media has erupted with disappointment. Memes, rants, and conspiracy theories dominate the discourse. Some fans are calling for an interim title to be placed on the line between Chimaev and Whittaker. Others are demanding Du Plessis be stripped due to inactivity and non-disclosure.

The UFC faces a logistical and promotional nightmare. Restructuring a pay-per-view this close to the date isn’t just difficult—it’s financially risky. Fighters like Sean Strickland, Jared Cannonier, and Paulo Costa have been thrown into the conversation, but none carry the same hype or legitimacy as a Du Plessis title defense.

Will Chimaev vs. Whittaker decide the true number one contender?

Even though UFC 317 has been derailed, the Chimaev vs. Whittaker bout (if made official) still carries enormous weight. Both fighters have the résumé and the skillset to challenge for the belt. Whittaker has long been considered the gatekeeper of the elite, and Chimaev is the surging phenom. A win here would undeniably solidify either man as the top contender.

For Chimaev, a victory would represent the final test before he claims middleweight gold. For Whittaker, it’s a shot at redemption and one last run at UFC glory.

UFC matchmakers are under pressure to add value to this fight. An interim title is still on the table. If Du Plessis remains sidelined without a clear timeline, Dana White may be forced to make a move—and it would likely crown the winner of Chimaev vs. Whittaker.

Middleweight division in chaos: New contenders emerge

With Du Plessis sidelined and UFC 317 in crisis, the middleweight division is suddenly wide open. Fighters who were recently out of the picture are now being talked about as potential title challengers. These include:

• Sean Strickland, whose stock remains high despite losing his belt

• Jared Cannonier, currently riding a win streak and ready for another crack at gold

• Bo Nickal, the fast-rising wrestling sensation who could be only a few fights away

• Marvin Vettori, always game and tough, though inconsistent

But make no mistake: the center of this storm is still Khamzat Chimaev. He’s the man fans want to see. He’s the fighter whose name sells tickets, sparks debates, and stirs fear in opponents. UFC can reshuffle the deck all it wants, but Chimaev remains the ace.

What happens next: UFC’s tough decision

As of now, no replacement main event for UFC 317 has been finalized. The UFC must decide:

• Do they crown an interim champion?

• Do they strip Du Plessis if his recovery drags on?

• Do they offer Chimaev another high-profile opponent before Whittaker?

The coming days will be critical. Dana White has hinted at a “major shake-up,” and sources close to the UFC suggest multiple matchups are being negotiated behind the scenes. Whittaker has accepted the challenge, according to reports, and all signs point to a blockbuster confrontation at middleweight.

Conclusion: Chimaev remains the storm in the middleweight sea

Injuries, withdrawals, and uncertainty have rocked the middleweight division, but one thing remains constant—Khamzat Chimaev is coming. Whether it’s Du Plessis, Whittaker, or a surprise replacement, Chimaev’s march toward UFC gold feels inevitable.

The fallout from UFC 317 is a disappointment, no doubt. But it has also set the stage for one of the most explosive middleweight clashes in recent memory. As Chimaev readies to “destroy” whoever steps in front of him, the question is no longer about titles. It’s about legacy, dominance, and fear.

Khamzat Chimaev is no longer the future of the division—he’s the present. And if Du Plessis continues to “disappear,” he may return only to find his kingdom already conquered.