UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has rejected suggestions that an injury has removed him from a potential 185-pound title defence against Khamzat Chimaev.

The South African, who was last seen in the cage in February where he scored a unanimous decision win against the former champion Sean Strickland, was the subject of reports that he had been hit with an injury which would sideline him for around six months – and remove him from a possible title bout with Chimaev which had been rumoured as a headliner for the UFC’s annual ‘International Fight Week’ event.

However, in a statement posted to social media on Thursday Du Plessis said that any such suggestions are wide of the mark.

“So everyone had their opinions and rumours and stories about a shin break and injuries etc.,” Du Plessis wrote online.

“I found it all very entertaining, unfortunately none of it is true. Myself and [the UFC] already discussed a fight date and opponent, the June fight was never signed. I did not pull out of any fight, I am the champion [and] I know when I fight.

“You as a contender, just show up when we tell you to. Fight announcement coming up soon, stay tuned.”

Du Plessis has emerged as one of the most dominant champions in recent middleweight history, scoring wins in his UFC run over Strickland twice, Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker and Darren Till.

Chimaev, meanwhile, has long been considered a future title contender since making his UFC debut in the summer of 2020.

In his past two fights, he has scored impressive wins over former UFC 185 and 170-pound champions Robert Whittaker and Kamaru Usman.