Fighters » Dricus Du Plessis
Dricus Du Plessis is a top-ranked South African mixed martial artist and the former UFC Middleweight Champion, known for his unorthodox fighting style and finishing ability .
Notable Fights
Du Plessis has several standout victories in his UFC career, particularly during his ascent to and reign as champion. The table below summarizes his most significant recent bouts:
| Date | Event | Opponent | Result | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 16, 2025 | UFC 319 | Khamzat Chimaev | Loss (Unanimous Decision) | Lost the UFC Middleweight Championship |
| Feb 8, 2025 | UFC 312 | Sean Strickland | Win (Unanimous Decision) | Successful title defense in a rematch |
| Aug 17, 2024 | UFC 305 | Israel Adesanya | Win (Submission – Face Crank) | First title defense; handed Adesanya his first career submission loss |
| Jan 20, 2024 | UFC 297 | Sean Strickland | Win (Split Decision) | Won the UFC Middleweight Championship; first South African UFC champion |
| Jul 8, 2023 | UFC 290 | Robert Whittaker | Win (TKO – Punches) | Title eliminator fight; earned Performance of the Night award |
Fighting Style and Persona
Du Plessis is known for a unique and effective fighting style:
- Unorthodox Pressure: He employs constant forward pressure with a “herky-jerky” movement, looping punches from odd angles, and level changes that resemble rugby tackles . This awkwardness masks a clear strategy of high-volume striking and wrestling .
- Finishing Prowess: With 87% of his wins coming by finish, he is a constant threat to end fights both on the feet and on the ground .
- Psychological Warfare: Outside the cage, he has developed a reputation for getting inside his opponents’ heads with calm but biting trash talk, which has visibly affected seasoned fighters like Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland before their fights .
