Dricus du Plessis

Last updated

Dricus du Plessis
Born (1994-01-14) 14 January 1994 (age 30) [1]
Welkom, Orange Free State, South Africa
Other namesStillknocks
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Division Middleweight (2013–2015; 2019–present)
Welterweight (2013–2018)
Reach76 in (193 cm) [2]
Stance Orthodox
Fighting out of Hatfield, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
TeamTeam CIT MMA
TrainerMorne Visser [3]
Rank2nd degree black belt in kickboxing [4]
Years active2013–present (MMA)
Mixed martial arts record
Total23
Wins21
By knockout9
By submission10
By decision2
Losses2
By knockout1
By submission1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Representing Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
Amateur kickboxing
WAKO Junior World Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2012 Bratislava -86kg (K-1) [5]

Dricus du Plessis (born 14 January 1994) is a South African professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is the current UFC Middleweight Champion and the first South African to win a UFC championship. [6] As of 20 February 2024, he is #9 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings. [7]

Contents

Background

Du Plessis is an Afrikaner. [8] [9] He was born in Welkom, South Africa. Du Plessis began training in judo at the age of five, followed by wrestling at twelve, then kickboxing at fourteen. [3] [4] In 2012, at 17 years old, du Plessis became South Africa's first medalist at the WAKO World Championships by winning gold in K-1 style kickboxing, [5] [10] but migrated to mixed martial arts after realizing there was not as much money in kickboxing. [3] [11] Along with martial arts, du Plessis also played rugby throughout his schooling years [12] and has since been a vocal supporter of the Springboks, South Africa's national rugby team. [13] [14] He attended the University of Pretoria, where he studied agricultural economics but dropped out during the final year to pursue a career in mixed martial arts. [4]

Mixed martial arts career

Extreme Fighting Championship

Du Plessis had three amateur bouts before he made his professional debut in 2013, [10] compiling a 4–0 record before facing future UFC fighter and then-EFC Middleweight Champion Garreth McLellan at EFC Africa 33, losing via guillotine choke submission in the third round. [15]

In June 2015, du Plessis made his welterweight debut at EFC Africa 40 against Dino Bagattin, winning via a second-round rear-naked choke submission. [16] After going 3–0 in 2015, du Plessis faced veteran striker Martin Van Staden at EFC 50 for the vacant EFC Welterweight Championship. Du Plessis won via guillotine choke submission in the third round. [17] Du Plessis was later set to defend his title against one of its former holders, Henry Fadipe. However, the bout was cancelled when Fadipe encountered issues with his visa. [18]

Du Plessis returned to EFC in 2017, defeating Brazilian Mauricio Da Rocha Jr. in a welterweight contest before facing Yannick Bahati at EFC Africa 62 for the Middleweight Championship. Du Plessis won by guillotine choke at 1:30 of the first round, becoming a two-division champion within the promotion. [19]

Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki

In 2018, du Plessis was slated to challenge Roberto Soldić for the KSW Welterweight Championship at KSW 43: Soldić vs. Du Plessis on 14 April. In an upset, du Plessis dethroned Soldic via TKO, after dropping him with a left hook. [20] The two would later rematch at KSW 45: De Fries vs. Bedorf in October of that year, with du Plessis losing via third-round knockout. [21]

Du Plessis fought again for KSW at KSW 50 against Joilton Santos, winning via TKO. [22]

Return to EFC

After Brendan Lesar upset veteran Garreth McLellan for the EFC Interim Middleweight Championship at EFC Africa 80, [23] Du Plessis was next set to face Lesar for the title at EFC Africa 83. Du Plessis won via first-round guillotine choke submission. [24]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Du Plessis made his promotional debut against Markus Perez on 11 October 2020 at UFC Fight Night 179. [25] He won the fight via knockout in round one. [26]

Du Plessis was scheduled to face Trevin Giles on 20 March 2021 at UFC on ESPN 21. [27] However, du Plessis pulled out due to visa issues which restricted his travel and was replaced by Roman Dolidze. [28] The bout with Giles was rescheduled for 10 July 2021 on UFC 264. [29] Du Plessis won the fight via knockout in round two. [30] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award. [31]

Du Plessis was scheduled to face Chris Curtis on 9 April 2022 at UFC 273. [32] However, Curtis withdrew due to a wrist injury and was replaced by Anthony Hernandez. [33] The bouts were yet again shuffled after Nassourdine Imavov withdrew due to visa issues, with du Plessis now facing Kelvin Gastelum. [34] However, Gastelum withdrew a week before the event due to an undisclosed injury and his bout with du Plessis was cancelled. [35]

Du Plessis then faced Brad Tavares at UFC 276 on 2 July 2022. [36] He won the fight via unanimous decision. [37]

Du Plessis faced Darren Till at UFC 282 on 10 December 2022. [38] He won the fight via submission in round three. [39] This fight earned him his first Fight of the Night award. [40]

Du Plessis faced Derek Brunson on 4 March 2023, at UFC 285. [41] He won the fight via technical knockout due to a corner stoppage at 4:59 of the second round. [42]

Du Plessis faced former UFC Middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in a title eliminator fight on 8 July 2023, at UFC 290. [43] He won the fight via technical knockout in the second round. [44] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award and the number one contender spot in the Middleweight division. [45]

Following his defeat of Whittaker, it was expected that du Plessis would face Israel Adesanya for the UFC Middleweight Championship at UFC 293. [46] However, du Plessis decided not to fight due to a leg injury, and was replaced by Sean Strickland. [47]

UFC Middleweight Champion

Du Plessis faced Sean Strickland for the UFC Middleweight Championship on 20 January 2024, at UFC 297. [48] The pair were in attendance at UFC 296 on 16 December 2023, seated within two rows of each-other by Dana White's arrangement. [49] While exchanging words, Strickland gestured for audience members to move and attacked du Plessis. The brawl was quickly broken up and Strickland was escorted out of the event. [50] [51] [52] At UFC 297, du Plessis won the bout by split decision, becoming the first UFC champion from South Africa. [6] [53] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night bonus. [54]

Submission grappling career

Du Plessis represented his team, CIT MMA, at a Submission Kings Quintet event, where he submitted all five members of the Gracie Barra team to win the match. [55]

Personal life

Du Plessis is bilingual, he speaks English and Afrikaans. [56]

In April 2023, du Plessis underwent surgery to fix a breathing impairment in his nose. According to a post made by his coach Morne Visser on Instagram, du Plessis had been competing in the UFC with "only 8% oxygen" intake through his nostrils. The surgery was originally supposed to take place in 2020 but was put on hold after du Plessis signed with the UFC. [57] [58] [59]

Championships and accomplishments

Kickboxing

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
23 matches21 wins2 losses
By knockout91
By submission101
By decision20
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Win21–2 Sean Strickland Decision (split) UFC 297 20 January 202455:00 Toronto, Ontario, CanadaWon the UFC Middleweight Championship. Fight of the Night.
Win20–2 Robert Whittaker TKO (punches) UFC 290 8 July 202322:23 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States UFC Middleweight title eliminator. Performance of the Night.
Win19–2 Derek Brunson TKO (corner stoppage) UFC 285 4 March 202324:59 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win18–2 Darren Till Submission (face crank) UFC 282 10 December 202232:43 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesFight of the Night.
Win17–2 Brad Tavares Decision (unanimous) UFC 276 2 July 202235:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win16–2 Trevin Giles KO (punches) UFC 264 10 July 202121:41 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesPerformance of the Night.
Win15–2 Markus Perez KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen 11 October 202013:22 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Win14–2Brendan LesarSubmission (guillotine choke)EFC 8314 December 201914:15 Gauteng, South AfricaDefended and unified the EFC Middleweight Championship.
Win13–2Joilton SantosTKO (punches) KSW 50 14 September 201923:04 London, EnglandReturn to Middleweight.
Loss12–2 Roberto Soldić KO (punches) KSW 45 6 October 201832:33 London, EnglandLost the KSW Welterweight Championship. Fight of the Night.
Win12–1 Roberto Soldić TKO (punches) KSW 43 14 April 201821:37 Wrocław, PolandWon the KSW Welterweight Championship. Performance of the Night.
Win11–1Yannick BahatiSubmission (guillotine choke)EFC 6219 August 201711:30 Gauteng, South AfricaWon the EFC Middleweight Championship.
Win10–1Maurício da Rocha Jr.TKO (punches)EFC 5913 May 201713:58 Gauteng, South Africa
Win9–1Rafał HaratykSubmission (guillotine choke)EFC 569 December 201623:34 Gauteng, South AfricaMiddleweight bout.
Win8–1Martin van StadenSubmission (guillotine choke)EFC 5017 June 201633:59 Gauteng, South AfricaWon the vacant EFC Welterweight Championship.
Win7–1Bruno MukuluSubmission (rear-naked choke)EFC 4612 December 201522:50 Gauteng, South AfricaCatchweight (176 lb) bout.
Win6–1Dino BagattinSubmission (rear-naked choke)EFC 406 June 201523:33 Gauteng, South AfricaWelterweight debut.
Win5–1Darren DanielSubmission (rear-naked choke)EFC 3721 February 201514:50 Gauteng, South Africa
Loss4–1 Garreth McLellan Submission (guillotine choke)EFC 3330 August 201432:12 Gauteng, South AfricaFor the EFC Middleweight Championship.
Win4–0Donavin HawkeyTKO (punches)EFC 2727 February 201414:50 Gauteng, South Africa
Win3–0JC LamprechtSubmission (rear-naked choke)EFC 2410 October 201331:54 Gauteng, South Africa
Win2–0Bruno MukuluSubmission (rear-naked choke)EFC 2312 September 201312:34 Gauteng, South Africa
Win1–0Tshikangu MakueboTKO (knee injury)EFC 2125 July 201311:18 Gauteng, South AfricaMiddleweight debut.

Pay-per-view bouts

No.EventFightDateVenueCityPPV buys
1. UFC 297 Strickland vs. du Plessis20 January 2024 Scotiabank Arena Toronto, Ontario, CanadaNot Disclosed [62]

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References

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  31. 1 2 Alexander K. Lee (11 July 2021). "UFC 264 bonuses: Kris Moutinho earns share of Fight of the Night for gutsy performance". mmafighting.com. Archived from the original on 21 July 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
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  40. 1 2 Hiergesell, Dan (11 December 2022). "Bonuses! All Fighters With Finishes Collect $50K". MMAmania.com. Archived from the original on 11 December 2022. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
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  44. ↑ Dewar, Val (8 July 2023). "UFC 290: Dricus Du Plessis Stuns the World, TKOs Robert Whittaker". Cageside Press. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
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  53. ↑ McCorry, Patrick (21 January 2024). "Dricus Du Plessis Realizes Dream, Takes Split Decision And Title". Cageside Press. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  54. 1 2 Brian Mazique (21 January 2024). "UFC 297 Results - Winners, Finishes, Bonuses And Highlights". Forbes.com. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  55. ↑ Phillips, Sabrina. "Watch Dricus Du Plessis Submit An Entire Gracie Barra Team". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
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  57. ↑ Harkness, Ryan (12 April 2023). "Nose issues had Du Plessis getting just '8% oxygen' during UFC career". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  58. ↑ Walshaw, Nick (28 April 2023). "'Strange thing to get done': Whittaker baffled by 'dangerous' rival's move — The Takedown". Fox Sports. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
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  60. ↑ Danny Segura (20 January 2024). "UFC 297 play-by-play and live results". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  61. 1 2 "UFC Middleweight - Stats". UFC.com. 20 January 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by 15th UFC Middleweight Champion
20 January 2024 – present		Incumbent
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