Whether it's his choppy fighting style, his success as a consistent underdog or his hilarious antics on social media; Dricus Du Plessis is quickly becoming one of the most popular UFC champions.
For 'Stillknocks', world championships are one thing, but when it comes to leaving a lasting legacy for your country and continent, there is another – far more poignant – end goal.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Dricus Du Plessis reveals his ultimate MMA goal
Dricus Du Plessis claimed the UFC middleweight title in a very close decision win against Sean Strickland before scoring a stunning submission win over Israel Adesanya last August.
According to the popular South African brawler, that championship victory over 'The Last Stylebender' saw his home gym, Team CIT, double in size – an excellent commercial achievement, and one that opens much more important doors for others.
“We have doubled [our size] in two months, and it's so amazing to see, because business-wise that's just one aspect – but to see the next generation, to realize that the next Dricus Du Plessis, the next world champion, might be like five on these mats trains year old, that's incredible.”
As 'Stillknocks' trains under the watchful eye of head coach Morne Visser, he is more often than not seen as a trainer himself and finds motivation by being a role model for the next generation of African MMA stars.
“It's incredible to think that in 20 years that man could be world champion, you know, maybe he just saw a fight.” [on TV] and I thought it looked cool… If I inspire one man to follow, one kid to follow his dreams, then that's mission accomplished.”
Du Plessis' path to the UFC was paved by fellow South African fighter Garreth 'Soldier Boy' McLellan, who defeated a spry 20-year-old 'Stillknocks' via guillotine choke in the EFC in 2014.
While McLellan didn't have the same legendary success in the UFC as Du Plessis (1-4 between 2015 and 2017), he did acknowledge that it won't be long before more South African athletes make a name for themselves in the big leagues. .
“We have guys who are still hidden gems, [and] I think we're starting to discover some incredible fighters who are going to do huge things on the world stage – that's exceptionally exciting.
“It's still a new phase for us, South Africa is a little ahead of the rest of the African countries, but they are also starting to find themselves, which makes it super exciting [for the continent].”
EFC commentator Simon Stephens has witnessed this rise of African MMA first-hand and was keen to make it clear that Du Plessis' legacy is not due to his UFC world title success, but to those who follow in his footsteps.
“The legacy – after Dricus retires as one of the greats of African MMA, if not the world – should be that talent scouts, managers and the people who make business decisions in terms of financing the sport, will go looking [more] to the talent in Africa.
“It's not just the minerals on this continent that are worth their weight in gold, it's also some of our fighters [who are] the best in the world and that is what his legacy should be.”
Dricus Du Plessis defends his middleweight title in the main event of UFC 312
If Dricus Du Plessis wants to continue inspiring the next generation of African-born MMA stars as the active and undisputed UFC middleweight champion, he will have to defeat arch-nemesis Strickland for a second time.
That highly anticipated title fight is scheduled for the main event of UFC 312 in Australia, with Zhang Weili defending her strawweight title against No. 1-ranked Tatiana Suarez in the co-main event.
Although not yet confirmed, it is rumored that former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman will also face rising Australian talent and #4 ranked contender, Jack Della Maddalena.
Featherweight champion Ilia Topuria's older brother, Aleksandre Topuria, will also reportedly make his promotional debut at UFC 312.
- Dricus Du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland
- Zhang Weili vs. Tatiana Suarez
- Kamaru Usman vs. Jack Della Maddalena – Rumors
- Tom Nolan vs. Viacheslav Borschchev
- Jack Jenkins vs. Gabriel Santos
- Justin Tafa vs. Tallison Teixeira
- Quillan Salkilld v Anshul Jubli
- Rei Tsuruya vs. Stewart Nicoll
- Cody Haddon vs. Aleksandre Topuria
- Cong Wang vs. Bruna Brasil
- Jimmy Crute vs Rodolfo Bellato – Not official yet, original opponent withdrew
UFC 312: Du Plessis vs Strickland takes place on Saturday, February 8, live from the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia.
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