Dricus Du Plessis is the first African-born UFC champion and his reign has been anything but boring.
The run (per Sherdog):
- 22-2 career record
- Won the title by defeating Sean Strickland via split decision
- First defense: submitted former champion Israel Adesanya in round 4
- Fighting style: unorthodox pressure, heavy hands, improving grappling, relentless cardio
Why his style is so effective: Du Plessis does not look like a typical elite fighter. His stance is wide, his striking looks wild, and he eats shots to land his own. But the results speak. He overwhelms opponents with volume, pressure, and an iron chin.
The Adesanya submission was the statement win. Finishing the most accomplished middleweight of the modern era on the ground, when everyone expected a standup war, showed a complete skill set.
What is next: The middleweight division is loaded. Khamzat Chimaev, Robert Whittaker (if he returns), Nassourdine Imavov, and Jared Cannonier are all in the mix. Du Plessis will not run out of challengers.
The bigger picture: South African MMA is booming. Du Plessis has opened a pipeline. Expect more South African fighters in the UFC over the next 5 years as gyms in Pretoria and Cape Town produce talent.
Sources:
- Sherdog — career record
- UFC Stats — fight performance data
- ESPN MMA — middleweight division rankings