Dricus du Plessis

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.

As of 20 February 2024, he is #9 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings.

Du Plessis is an Afrikaner.

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.

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, but migrated to mixed martial arts after realizing there was not as much money in kickboxing.

Along with martial arts, du Plessis also played rugby throughout his schooling years and has since been a vocal supporter of the Springboks, South Africa's national rugby team.

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.

Du Plessis had three amateur bouts before he made his professional debut in 2013, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

After Brendan Lesar upset veteran Garreth McLellan for the EFC Interim Middleweight Championship at EFC Africa 80, Du Plessis was next set to face Lesar for the title at EFC Africa 83.

Du Plessis won via first-round guillotine choke submission.

Du Plessis made his promotional debut against Markus Perez on 11 October 2020 at UFC Fight Night 179.

He won the fight via knockout in round one.

Du Plessis was scheduled to face Trevin Giles on 20 March 2021 at UFC on ESPN 21.

However, du Plessis pulled out due to visa issues which restricted his travel and was replaced by Roman Dolidze.

The bout with Giles was rescheduled for 10 July 2021 on UFC 264.

Du Plessis won the fight via knockout in round two.

This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Du Plessis was scheduled to face Chris Curtis on 9 April 2022 at UFC 273.

However, Curtis withdrew due to a wrist injury and was replaced by Anthony Hernandez.

The bouts were yet again shuffled after Nassourdine Imavov withdrew due to visa issues, with du Plessis now facing Kelvin Gastelum.

However, Gastelum withdrew a week before the event due to an undisclosed injury and his bout with du Plessis was cancelled.

Du Plessis then faced Brad Tavares at UFC 276 on 2 July 2022.

He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Du Plessis faced Darren Till at UFC 282 on 10 December 2022.

He won the fight via submission in round three.

This fight earned him his first Fight of the Night award.

Du Plessis faced Derek Brunson on 4 March 2023, at UFC 285.