Dricus Du Plessis suffered a devastating end to his title government on UFC 319.
After successful defending defense against Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland after his award in the early 2024, Du Plessis came the most difficult challenge of his UFC career in Chicago on Saturday evening.
Khamzat Chimaev dominated Du Plessis, with 'Borz' ultimately an obstacle that is too long for 'Still Knocks' in the Main Event of UFC 319.
Du Plessis always proudly flew the South African flag as the first UFC champion of his country. Although he will undoubtedly be disappointed to return home without the title of the middleweight, he will apparently have not too few supporters behind him.
South Africa's Minister of Sport supports Dricus Du Plessis after 'hard to look' UFC 319 setbacks
Du Plessis has insisted on UFC Zuid -Africa to flourish, and talking of the ministers of recent times suggested that it was a real possibility.
Whether or not that has taken a hit with its removal from the middleweight throne against Chimaev can still be seen. For now, the South African Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture does not seem to worry about that.
Instead, Gayton McKenzie went to social media and sent a supporting message to Du Plessis, in which he praised the now forming champion for never giving up and suggesting that he almost had Chimaev '.
“Dricus du Plessis, you made us proud of the big champions and we know you'll be back,” he wrote on X.
“You confronted with a tough wrestler today, but you will come back stronger. It was hard to look, but you never gave up, almost had him and you will always be a legend. Chin up, #nodnajustrsa” “”
Dricus du Plessis, you made us proud of the big champions and we know you are back. You have confronted with a tough wrestler today, but you come back stronger. It was hard to look at, but you never gave up, almost had him and you will always be a legend. Chin Up, #nodnajustrsa 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/e8f1tyueeh
– Gayton McKenzie (@Gaytonmck) August 17, 2025
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Dricus du Plessis said that Khamzat was chimaev 'like a blanket'
While Chimaev broke the UFC record for strikes that landed in one fight, the conversation point of the Main Event of UFC 319 was his total dominance and near-record success in the grasping department.
'Borz' achieved 21 minutes and 40 seconds of control time, so that he was only lagging behind Sean Sherk against Hermes Franca in the All Time Leaderboard under the efforts of Sean Sean Sherk.
In addition to apologies to his supporters at home, Du Plessis commented on Chimaev's narrowing play during his Octagon interview, in which the Chechen star was compared with a “blanket” on top of him.
“The man has an incredible check at the top,” Du Plessis told Joe Rogan. “He is like a blanket; He always knew what your next move would be.
“At the end I went for it and I could almost taste that victory, but he hit me reasonably and square.
“He deserves it and thanks to all the fans, because without you we don't have a job,” Du Plessis added.
“Everyone in South Africa, I am sorry that everyone I have abandoned. We will show the world that we will come back stronger than ever.”