UFC rules out Caio Borralho as backup for Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev

Nassourdine Imavov is currently ranked first. Photo: Reproduction/UFC

Belt at stake! Dana White announced this Tuesday (13), among other 'bombs', the fight between Dricus du Plessis e Khamzat Shimaev No. UFC 319The event will be held on August 16th at the United Center in Chicago, USA. The day after the confirmation, the name of the reserve for the duel will be announced: Nassourdine Imavov.

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the french website 'RMC Sport Combat' released the information. With that, the expectation of Caio Borralho being scheduled for the event was frustrated. Recently, a fight between the Frenchman and the 'Fighting Nerds' athlete was rumored. The information is that Imavov refused the duel.

The announcement of one of the most anticipated fights for MMA fans was given together with the revelation of other clashes: the lightweight champion (up to 70,3 kg), Islam makhachev, will actually move up to the welterweight division (up to 77kg.) to face the new title holder, Jack Della Maddalena. The belt vacated by the Russian will be disputed by Charles of the Bronx e Ilia Topuria in the main fight of UFC 317. In the same event, Alexandre pantoja defends the flyweight gold (up to 56,7 kg) against Kai Kara France, in the co-main fight.

UFC 319 MAIN EVENT

Dricus Du Plessis will defend his middleweight title against Khamzat Shimaev at #UFC319 on August 16th.

Chicago. MW Title fight. Main event.

[by Dana White] pic.twitter.com/X0u7cirsLh

— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) May 13, 2025

This match has been speculated since Du Plessis defended his belt in the rematch against Sean Strickland No. UFC 312, in February 2025. The first rumors were that the fight would take place in UFC 317, including information that the South African fighter would be injured for the clash. The two athletes even exchanged barbs on social media.