Dricus Du Plessis has important goals in the UFC, from winning a new world title to earning the pound-for-pound number one place.
The middleweight champion has not yet lost in the Octagon and rematches Sean Strickland on Saturday evening in the main event of UFC 312. He has always been one of the most famous motivated individuals in the sport, but maintains a hunger by making elevated goals beyond his world title win.
One of these goals includes winning a new world title at Light-Heavyweight, where Alex Pereira is currently ruling. Another would be known to him as the largest hunter in the world, which is a title that Islam Makhachev currently has as the officially arranged number one pound-for-pound in the UFC.
Dricus du Plessis Details how he stays motivated for UFC 312
In a recent interview with ESPN MMA, it was noted how being a key factor is in what Dricus Du Plessis has driven to the top of the UFC. He is not the most technically gifted hunter on the Roster, but he has overthrowed people like Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker and Strickland with his intense style.
And he noted that those goals remain elevated and still have to be fully achieved despite winning the belt and defending against a legend last year. “Even before the UFC, I believe you have an ultimate goal and that is your Rijf factor,” he explained.
“Because if you set your goals to go to the UFC or to be a UFC champion and you reach, what's then. 2024 was a huge year for me, but 2025 will be so much more, now the goal is to have been won champion.
“There will be many more. Defending this title, taking over the division and I still like the actual domination of the division to a place where there is no competition. “
Dricus Du Plessis wants to take Alex Pereira's belt and the UFC ranking list of Islam Makhacheve
To strengthen his legacy, Du Plessis wants to win enough fighting that he has wiped out the middleweight division. Then he goes to light-heavyweight, where he will challenge for the title that is currently held by Alex Pereira, hoping to eventually take the pound-for-pound place of Islam Makhachev.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
“I also want to go upstairs and get another belt,” he continued. “And in the end I want to be seen as the greatest hunter ever running on this earth. That is my ultimate goal and that is what keeps me going, regardless of what you achieve.
“That is a legacy that you build on during your entire career, so that is my motivation and that is what I pursue. I can't wait for what 2025 holds. “
Dricus Du Persis enthusiastic for 'Dog fight' Rematch with Sean Strickland
Even in his defeats, Dricus Du Plessis had only been to the judges once prior to Sean Strickland in January last year. But he admits that the American was 'too good' to be ready and admits that it will be a 'dog fight' in the Rematch.
“It was not because of a lack of trying,” he noticed when he was asked why he could not finish the former champion. “You could see that. I threw everything I had and he was just very good, I think the pace was so high in the fight.
Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty images
“But I only started to push the pace later in the fight, while I now know that I can push the pace of the word go. Defensively, Sean Strickland is one of the best hunters in the world, he is really good at that and he is really responsible for his defense.
“He gives priority to the defense above attack, so that he doesn't give you that chance. He is willing to puncture and make his way to a decision victory and it is up to you to make it a dog fight, because other than that you will not just clean him. “
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