UFC 319 Title Fight in Jeopardy? Why Khamzat Chimaev vs. Dricus du Plessis Might Not Happen in August

Fight fans around the world got hyped when news broke about Khamzat Chimaev challenging Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight title at UFC 319 this August. But hold up – there’s a major roadblock that might derail this highly anticipated showdown.

I’ve been covering the MMA scene for years, and let me tell you – this situation is developing into one of those classic UFC booking nightmares we’ve seen before with Chimaev.

The Visa Issue That Could Derail Everything

According to multiple sources close to the situation, Khamzat Chimaev is currently facing significant visa issues that could prevent him from entering the United States for the August pay-per-view event. This wouldn’t be the first time the Chechen-born fighter has encountered travel problems – remember when his bout with Nate Diaz fell through back in 2022?

Chimaev (13-0) has been training in Dubai recently, and getting him cleared to fight on American soil by August is starting to look like a serious challenge. The UFC is reportedly scrambling behind the scenes, but time is ticking.

Du Plessis Left in Limbo

For South Africa’s first UFC champion Dricus du Plessis (21-2), this uncertainty must be frustrating as hell. After his hard-fought victory over Sean Strickland at UFC 297 to claim the belt, “Stillknocks” deserves clarity on his first title defense.

I spoke with someone in Du Plessis’ camp last week who told me the champion is continuing to prepare as if the fight is happening, but they’re also aware of potential backup plans the UFC might be considering.

Potential Replacement Options

If Chimaev can’t make it, the UFC has several directions they could go:

• Israel Adesanya – The former champion is always ready for a title shot
• Robert Whittaker – Coming off his win over Ikram Aliskerov
• Sean Strickland – Could get an immediate rematch

Why This Fight Matters So Much

The potential matchup between Chimaev and Du Plessis represents one of the most intriguing stylistic clashes in the division. Both fighters bring relentless pressure and elite grappling skills to the octagon.

Chimaev’s dominant victory over former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 last October solidified his status as a legitimate middleweight contender. Meanwhile, Du Plessis has been on a tear, winning all six of his UFC fights and dethroning Strickland in a grueling five-round battle.

What’s Next for UFC 319?

The UFC isn’t likely to announce any changes until they’ve exhausted all options to get Chimaev cleared for travel. But don’t be surprised if we hear about a replacement opponent for Du Plessis in the coming weeks.

UFC 319 is scheduled for August 3rd at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. The card is expected to feature several other high-profile bouts, but losing the main event would be a significant blow to the promotion’s summer lineup.

The Timeline Crunch

With less than two months until fight night, the clock is ticking for Chimaev’s visa issues to be resolved. These processes can sometimes take months, which puts the UFC in a difficult position regarding promotion and planning.

I’ve seen this movie before with international fighters – the UFC typically needs to make a call about 6-8 weeks out to ensure proper promotion and allow fighters adequate preparation time if changes are needed.

The Bottom Line

While fans (myself included) are dying to see Chimaev finally get his shot at UFC gold, the reality is this fight remains in serious jeopardy. Du Plessis will defend his title at UFC 319 one way or another, but his opponent might not be the undefeated phenom we’re all hoping for.

I’ll be updating this story as more information becomes available, so check back for the latest developments on this evolving situation.

What do you think? Would you rather see the UFC wait for Chimaev or move forward with a different challenger? Let me know in the comments below!

Source: Vox