Dricus Du Plessis expects to pass Khamzat Chimaev completely, and he plans to return to a well -known conversation in the aftermath.
Du Plessis and Chimaev will head UFC 319 on August 16, as the United Center in Chicago Stages Octagon Action. The middleweight gold of the South African will be at stake in a matchup that many have pointed out as the biggest obstacle of the champion so far.
Just like his upcoming challenger, Du Plessis has remained unbeaten in the UFC so far. And his rise to star row on MMA's greatest stage has stimulated it about his dream that flourishes – the debut event of the promotion in Africa.
'Still Knocks' has not been from his home continent since 2017 and is not planning to give his hope to defend gold in home while he is sitting on a UFC throne.
Dricus Du Plessis plans to promote UFC Africa plans as soon as he passes Khamzat Chimaev
A few champions are currently filling in for the UFC to organize an event in their home country. Dana White gave a blow to Ilia Topuria's dream of a map in Spain after his lightweight crown on UFC 317, so Du Plessis will hope to be more lucky to touch the Achthoek in South Africa.
The promotion still has to organize an event on the continent and was recently defeated by the PFL, which became the first global promotion to organize an event in Africa with a map in Cape Town on July 18.
For the time being, Du Plessis is aimed at dealing with things against Chimaev in his first fight on American soil since 2023. But when he comes to the victor, 'Still Knocks' is fully planning to reduce the issue with White and Co again.
“The right people spoke with each other,” Du Plessis told Scott Fontana for the New York Post. “I was involved in these conversations, (but) as soon as this fight was conducted, my attention shifted to this fight.
“I know that the conversations are there between the UFC and South Africa, and the ministers of the sport, and the cities and the arenas – everything is in conversation.
“But as an update about where we are, I have nothing,” Du Plessis added. “That is definitely something that I will get as soon as I am ready after this fight.
“(I am) ensuring that the right people speak with the right people and almost introduce the right people to each other, ensuring that the people who have to let it happen, speak the right people who can let it happen. That is my role.”
UFC Executive called Africa Debut 'Absolute A 2025 Thing' after winning Dricus du Persis
The UFC Africa Wens from Du Plessis was stimulated last year after its first successful defense.
After he cemented himself as a champion at UFC 305, where Du Plessis Israël Adesanya submitted, the urge of the Champion for the Octagon was approached by Dave Shaw, the UFC Executive Vice President and Head of International and Content.
“I think we are probably closer than we have been to do an event in Africa), and there is a lot of interest from a few different countries,” Shaw said during the press conference after the fight.
“The Dricus situation is difficult. I mean, he is a champion, we go there at the same time zone as the VK (UFC 304 ppv)? We have just done the Manchester event, so it is absolutely possible, but we also want to make a good first impression.
“When we first come to Continental Africa, do we want to do an event in the middle of the night? … If Dana wants to do an event for fans, for the growth of the sport, despite headwind or challenges operational – where the event is and what time it should be booked – then he will make that decision.
“The short answer is that we have a few different countries that we focus on, but this is definitely something 2025, we don't want to wait much longer,” Shaw added.