Dricus Du Plessis Sends Explicit Response to Contender Ahead of UFC 319

There’s never a dull moment in the UFC, and the lead-up to UFC 319 proves it once again. Set for August 16 at the United Center in Chicago, the event will see middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis defend his title in a highly anticipated bout. A recent tweet exchange may have just fanned the flames for what could become one of the most heated title fights in recent memory. It started with some emojis—yes, emojis—and ended with a clapback sharp enough to slice through the internet. A simple post was all it took to set the champion off—and fans are here for it.

The war of words between Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev has been simmering for months, but things hit a boiling point on social media. The entire exchange was captured in a thread by ACD MMA, quickly gaining traction across the fight community. Khamzat tweeted a photo of Du Plessis and his team alongside five donut emojis and a laughing face, a move interpreted by many as calling the champ and his crew overweight or soft. But Du Plessis didn’t let it slide. He fired back with:

'O sh*t would get you but there’s no inbred emoji…'

When a fan chimed in with:

'At least he knows who his father is,'

Du Plessis delivered the final blow:

'Yes his older brother probably.'