Dricus du Plessis is a South African mixed martial artist who has taken the UFC by storm since his debut in 2020. He is quickly becoming a fan favorite, thanks to his impressive fighting skills, unique personality, and inspiring backstory. In this article, we’ll explore Dricus du Plessis’ life and career, his UFC journey, fighting style, training regimen, personal life, challenges, and future aspirations.
Where is Dricus du Plessis from?
Dricus du Plessis was born on August 13, 1994, in Pretoria, South Africa. He started practicing martial arts at a young age. He also completed his studies at the University of Pretoria where he studied agricultural economics.
Early Life and Career
Dricus du Plessis started training in karate and kickboxing at the age of 6, eventually moving to Brazilian jiu-jitsu and MMA. He had his first professional MMA fight at the age of 19 and quickly made a name for himself in the South African MMA scene. He won the Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) Welterweight and Middleweight titles, becoming the first fighter to hold the two titles simultaneously in the organization.
Dricus du Plessis’ UFC Debut
Dricus du Plessis signed with the UFC in August 2020 and made his debut against Markus Perez in November of the same year. He won the fight by knockout in the first round, earning a performance of the night bonus. The win showcased his impressive striking and grappling skills, putting the UFC middleweight division on notice.
The Rise of a UFC Contender
After his debut win, Dricus du Plessis faced Trevin Giles and Brad Tavares, beating Giles by knockout and Trevin by decision. Moving through the ranks and winning every fight along the way, du Plessis eventually faced-off against Derek Brunson on March 4, 2023, at UFC 285. The victory over Brunson was earned by TKO. This pushed into title contender range and now he faces his toughest fight to date in Robert Whittaker.
Dricus du Plessis Fighting Style and Techniques
Dricus du Plessis’ fighting style is a combination of striking and grappling, with a background in kickboxing, Judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He is known for his heavy hands and knockout power (hence his nick name “Stillknocks”), as well as his submission skills. His ability to adapt to different fighting styles and read his opponents’ movements is what sets him apart from other fighters.
Growth of his popularity
In his decade-long career du Plessis has been making waves as he goes, and as his career progresses the waves have been getting bigger. Interest in Dricus du Plessis has grown a lot over the last 3 years since he has reached the global stage of the UFC.
Interest in betting on UFC fights in South Africa have also seen an increase along with the rise of Dricus du Plessis. This makes complete sense, as now South Africans have a fighter of their own fighter to support together as a nation. Dricus du Plessis is the first South African mixed martial artist to really reach the upper rankings of any UFC division.
Future Goals and Aspirations
Dricus du Plessis’ ultimate goal is to become a UFC champion. He has already made significant strides towards achieving this goal, and he is quickly climbing the UFC rankings. Du Plessis has also expressed a desire to fight some of the biggest names in the sport, including Conor McGregor and Israel Adesanya.
In addition to his fighting career, du Plessis also hopes to leave a lasting legacy in the sport of MMA. He wants to be remembered as a fighter who inspired others to pursue their dreams and pushed the boundaries of what was possible in the octagon.
Dricus du Plessis’ UFC career has been nothing short of impressive. He has established himself as one of the top fighters in the middleweight division and is quickly gaining recognition around the world. With his well-rounded fighting style and unwavering determination, du Plessis is a force to be reckoned with in the octagon.
As he continues to climb the ranks and pursue his ultimate goal of becoming a UFC champion, there is no doubt that Dricus du Plessis will continue to make waves in the world of MMA.
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