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Dricus du Plessis

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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)
DivisionMiddleweight (2013–2015; 2019–present)
Welterweight (2013–2018)
Reach76 in (193 cm)[2]
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofHatfield, 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
Total24
Wins22
By knockout9
By submission11
By decision2
Losses2
By knockout1
By submission1
Amateur kickboxing record[5]
Total33
Wins33
By knockout30
Losses0
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Representing  South Africa
Amateur kickboxing
WAKO Junior World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2012 Bratislava -86kg (K-1)[6]

Dricus du Plessis (born 14 January 1994), also known by his initials DDP, 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.[7] As of 17 September 2024, he is #6 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings.[8] Outside of the UFC, du Plessis is also the former Welterweight and Middleweight Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) Champion, and the former Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki (KSW) Welterweight Champion.

Background

Du Plessis is an Afrikaner,[9][10] and 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,[6][11] but migrated to mixed martial arts after realizing there was not as much money in kickboxing.[3][12] Along with martial arts, du Plessis also played rugby throughout his schooling years[13] and has since been a vocal supporter of the Springboks, South Africa's national rugby team.[14][15] 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,[11] 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.[16]

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.[17] 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.[18] 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.[19]

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.[20]

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.[21] 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.[22]

Du Plessis fought again for KSW at KSW 50 against Joilton Santos, winning via TKO.[23]

Return to EFC

After Brendan Lesar upset veteran Garreth McLellan for the EFC Interim Middleweight Championship at EFC Africa 80,[24] du Plessis was next set to face Lesar for the title at EFC Africa 83. Du Plessis won via first-round guillotine choke submission.[25]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Du Plessis made his promotional debut against Markus Perez on 11 October 2020 at UFC Fight Night 179.[26] He won the fight via knockout in round one.[27]

Du Plessis was scheduled to face Trevin Giles on 20 March 2021 at UFC on ESPN 21.[28] However, du Plessis pulled out due to visa issues which restricted his travel and was replaced by Roman Dolidze.[29] The bout with Giles was rescheduled for 10 July 2021 on UFC 264.[30] Du Plessis won the fight via knockout in round two.[31] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[32]

Du Plessis was scheduled to face Chris Curtis on 9 April 2022 at UFC 273.[33] However, Curtis withdrew due to a wrist injury and was replaced by Anthony Hernandez.[34] The bouts were yet again shuffled after Nassourdine Imavov withdrew due to visa issues, with du Plessis now facing Kelvin Gastelum.[35] However, Gastelum withdrew a week before the event due to an undisclosed injury and his bout with du Plessis was cancelled.[36]

Du Plessis then faced Brad Tavares at UFC 276 on 2 July 2022.[37] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[38]

Du Plessis faced Darren Till at UFC 282 on 10 December 2022.[39] He won the fight via submission in round three.[40] This fight earned him his first Fight of the Night award.[41]

Du Plessis faced Derek Brunson on 4 March 2023, at UFC 285.[42] He won the fight via technical knockout due to a corner stoppage at 4:59 of the second round.[43]

Du Plessis faced former UFC Middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in a title eliminator fight on 8 July 2023, at UFC 290.[44] He won the fight via technical knockout in the second round.[45] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award and the number one contender spot in the middleweight division.[46]

Following his defeat of Whittaker, it was expected that du Plessis would face Israel Adesanya for the UFC Middleweight Championship at UFC 293.[47] However, du Plessis decided not to fight due to a leg injury, and was replaced by Sean Strickland.[48]

UFC Middleweight Champion

Du Plessis faced Sean Strickland for the UFC Middleweight Championship on 20 January 2024, at UFC 297.[49] The pair were in attendance at UFC 296 on 16 December 2023, seated within two rows of each-other by Dana White's arrangement.[50] 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.[51][52][53] At UFC 297, du Plessis won the bout by split decision, becoming the first UFC champion from South Africa.[7][54] 13 out of 24 media outlets scored the bout for du Plessis.[55] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night bonus.[56]

Du Plessis made his first title defense against former two-time UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya on 18 August 2024 at UFC 305.[57] He won the fight via a face crank submission in the fourth round, Adesanya's first career submission loss.[58]

Du Plessis is scheduled to make his second title defense in a rematch against former champion Sean Strickland on February 9, 2025 at UFC 312.[59]

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.[60]

Personal life

Du Plessis is bilingual; he speaks English and Afrikaans.[61]

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.[62][63][64] In 2024, it was revealed that Visser would use a taser on du Plessis' feet as a training method.[65]

Championships and accomplishments

Kickboxing

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
24 matches 22 wins 2 losses
By knockout 9 1
By submission 11 1
By decision 2 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 22–2 Israel Adesanya Submission (face crank) UFC 305 18 August 2024 4 3:38 Perth, Australia Defended the UFC Middleweight Championship.
Win 21–2 Sean Strickland Decision (split) UFC 297 20 January 2024 5 5:00 Toronto, Ontario, Canada Won the UFC Middleweight Championship. Fight of the Night.
Win 20–2 Robert Whittaker TKO (punches) UFC 290 8 July 2023 2 2:23 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States UFC Middleweight title eliminator. Performance of the Night.
Win 19–2 Derek Brunson TKO (corner stoppage) UFC 285 4 March 2023 2 4:59 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 18–2 Darren Till Submission (face crank) UFC 282 10 December 2022 3 2:43 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 17–2 Brad Tavares Decision (unanimous) UFC 276 2 July 2022 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 16–2 Trevin Giles KO (punches) UFC 264 10 July 2021 2 1:41 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 15–2 Markus Perez KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen 11 October 2020 1 3:22 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Win 14–2 Brendan Lesar Submission (guillotine choke) EFC 83 14 December 2019 1 4:15 Gauteng, South Africa Defended and unified the EFC Middleweight Championship.
Win 13–2 Joilton Santos TKO (punches) KSW 50 14 September 2019 2 3:04 London, England Return to Middleweight.
Loss 12–2 Roberto Soldić KO (punches) KSW 45 6 October 2018 3 2:33 London, England Lost the KSW Welterweight Championship. Fight of the Night.
Win 12–1 Roberto Soldić TKO (punches) KSW 43 14 April 2018 2 1:37 Wrocław, Poland Won the KSW Welterweight Championship. Performance of the Night.
Win 11–1 Yannick Bahati Submission (guillotine choke) EFC 62 19 August 2017 1 1:30 Gauteng, South Africa Won the EFC Middleweight Championship.
Win 10–1 Maurício da Rocha Jr. TKO (punches) EFC 59 13 May 2017 1 3:58 Gauteng, South Africa
Win 9–1 Rafał Haratyk Submission (guillotine choke) EFC 56 9 December 2016 2 3:34 Gauteng, South Africa Middleweight bout.
Win 8–1 Martin van Staden Submission (guillotine choke) EFC 50 17 June 2016 3 3:59 Gauteng, South Africa Won the vacant EFC Welterweight Championship.
Win 7–1 Bruno Mukulu Submission (rear-naked choke) EFC 46 12 December 2015 2 2:50 Gauteng, South Africa Catchweight (176 lb) bout.
Win 6–1 Dino Bagattin Submission (rear-naked choke) EFC 40 6 June 2015 2 3:33 Gauteng, South Africa Welterweight debut.
Win 5–1 Darren Daniel Submission (rear-naked choke) EFC 37 21 February 2015 1 4:50 Gauteng, South Africa
Loss 4–1 Garreth McLellan Submission (guillotine choke) EFC 33 30 August 2014 3 2:12 Gauteng, South Africa For the EFC Middleweight Championship.
Win 4–0 Donavin Hawkey TKO (punches) EFC 27 27 February 2014 1 4:50 Gauteng, South Africa
Win 3–0 JC Lamprecht Submission (rear-naked choke) EFC 24 10 October 2013 3 1:54 Gauteng, South Africa
Win 2–0 Bruno Mukulu Submission (rear-naked choke) EFC 23 12 September 2013 1 2:34 Gauteng, South Africa
Win 1–0 Tshikangu Makuebo TKO (knee injury) EFC 21 25 July 2013 1 1:18 Gauteng, South Africa Middleweight debut.

Pay-per-view bouts

No. Event Fight Date Venue City PPV buys
1. UFC 297 Strickland vs. du Plessis 20 January 2024 Scotiabank Arena Toronto, Ontario, Canada Not Disclosed[69]
2. UFC 305 du Plessis vs. Adesanya 18 August 2024 RAC Arena Perth, Australia Not Disclosed[70]

See also

References

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  2. ^ "EFC Athletes Profile: Dricus "Stillknocks" du Plessis. www.efcworldwide.com/". 18 March 2016. Archived from the original on 4 December 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  3. ^ a b c "Du Plessis - EFC Worldwide". efcworldwide.com. 18 March 2016. Archived from the original on 4 December 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  4. ^ a b c "Dricus du Plessis | UFC". UFC.com. 22 September 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  5. ^ Sam (20 January 2024). "Dricus Du Plessis Nickname: Why is the South African fighter nicknamed "Stillknocks"?". Marca. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  6. ^ a b c "All Official Results of Cadets & Juniors World Championships!". WAKO. 18 September 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  7. ^ a b c Hemmonsbey, Keanan (21 January 2024). "Dricus du Plessis makes history as SA's first UFC middleweight champ". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  8. ^ "UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions | UFC.com". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  9. ^ Dricus du Plessis gives Las Vegas some Afrikaans lessons at UFC 276 Julian Kiewietz, iol.co.za (2 July 2022)
  10. ^ ‘Huge congrats to South African MMA’ - Dricus du Plessis garners praise from Conor McGregor after major UFC win Julian Kiewietz, msn.com (9 July 2023)
  11. ^ a b c "Meet Our EFC Champion - Dricus du Plessis". 29 January 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
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  40. ^ Dewar, Val (10 December 2022). "UFC 282: Dricus Du Plessis Submits Darren Till, Spoils Return". Cageside Press. Archived from the original on 11 December 2022. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  41. ^ a b 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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  65. ^ "Crazy footage emerges of Dricus du Plessis coach using taser on fighters".
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by 15th UFC Middleweight Champion
20 January 2024 – present 		Incumbent
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