UFC CEO Dana White announced the fight during a live broadcast on Instagram.
After Du Plessis took the 185-pound title from Sean Strickland in January 2024, he firmly established himself as the strongest fighter in the division, successfully defending his title twice. In August, the South African finished former division hegemon Israel Adesanya, and in February he won by points against Strickland in the rematch.
Now he is set to meet Chimaev, who will receive his long-awaited title shot in the UFC. “Borz” has stated his title aspirations since he appeared on the UFC scene in July 2020, but his path to the top has slowed due to injuries and other health issues. Last October, Khamzat cemented his status as the number one contender by finishing Robert Whittaker in the first round.