Dricus Du Plessis Bio
Dricus Du Plessis, born on January 14, 1994, is a South African professional mixed martial artist competing in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is notably the first South African to win a UFC championship and has held titles in multiple weight classes across different promotions. As of August 2025, Du Plessis is ranked number one in the UFC middleweight division.
Early Life and Background
Dricus Du Plessis was born in Welkom, Free State, South Africa, and is of Afrikaner descent. He began training in martial arts at a young age, starting with judo at five years old, wrestling at twelve, and kickboxing at fourteen. At seventeen, he became South Africa’s first-ever gold medalist at the WAKO World Championships in K-1 style kickboxing. Alongside martial arts, Du Plessis played rugby during his school years and remains a supporter of South Africa’s national rugby team, the Springboks. He attended the University of Pretoria, studying agricultural economics but left during his final year to focus on his mixed martial arts career.
Path to MMA
After excelling in kickboxing, Du Plessis transitioned to mixed martial arts due to greater professional opportunities. He began his professional MMA career in 2013 and quickly made a name for himself in regional promotions. His early success in the Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) saw him capture titles in both the Welterweight and Middleweight divisions. These achievements paved the way for his entry into international competition and eventually the UFC.
Dricus Du Plessis Career
Early Career (2013–2018)
Du Plessis started his professional MMA career in 2013, compiling an undefeated amateur record before turning pro. He made his mark in the EFC, where he won the Welterweight Championship in 2015 and later the Middleweight Championship in 2017, becoming a two-division champion within the promotion. His aggressive style and submission skills helped him secure key victories and build momentum in the South African MMA scene.
Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki (KSW) Breakthrough (2018)
In 2018, Du Plessis competed in the Polish promotion KSW, where he won the Welterweight Championship by defeating Roberto Soldić via TKO. Although he lost the rematch later that year, he continued to demonstrate his striking power and resilience. His performance in KSW further established him as a top contender in the welterweight division internationally.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Era (2020–Present)
Dricus Du Plessis made his UFC debut in October 2020 with a first-round knockout victory over Markus Perez. He quickly rose through the ranks with notable wins, including knockouts and submissions against top contenders such as Trevin Giles, Brad Tavares, Darren Till, Derek Brunson, and Robert Whittaker. In January 2024, Du Plessis won the UFC Middleweight Championship by defeating Sean Strickland via split decision, becoming the first South African UFC champion. He successfully defended his title twice against Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland before losing the belt to Khamzat Chimaev in August 2025.
Fighting Style and Strengths
Du Plessis fights out of an orthodox stance with a distinctive, unorthodox style characterized by herky-jerky movement and unconventional striking angles. He applies constant forward pressure with a high volume of strikes targeting the head, body, and legs. His quick level changes and aggressive takedown attempts resemble rugby tackles more than traditional wrestling shots. This fight-first approach has proven effective, allowing him to maintain pace and pressure against elite opponents. Outside the cage, Du Plessis is known for psychological tactics, often unsettling opponents with calm but sharp trash talk.
Notable Events and Milestones
Du Plessis’s UFC Middleweight Championship win marked a historic milestone as the first South African to hold a UFC title. His title defenses against former champions Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland further solidified his status at the top of the division. His rivalry with Strickland included a notable pre-fight altercation at UFC 296. Du Plessis’s victory over Adesanya was significant as it handed Adesanya his first career submission loss.
Dricus Du Plessis Career Wins
Throughout his career, Dricus Du Plessis has amassed 23 wins out of 26 professional fights, with only 3 losses. His victories include knockouts, submissions, and decisions across multiple promotions and weight classes, highlighting his versatility and skill.
UFC Highlights
In the UFC, Du Plessis has secured multiple performance bonuses and has notable wins over high-profile fighters. His first UFC win was a knockout in his debut fight, and he earned the Performance of the Night award for his knockout of Trevin Giles. His title-winning bout against Sean Strickland earned him the Fight of the Night bonus. Du Plessis successfully defended his middleweight title twice before losing it in 2025.
Other Wins & Performances
Before joining the UFC, Du Plessis was a two-division champion in the Extreme Fighting Championship and held the KSW Welterweight title. His early career featured dominant performances in South Africa and Europe, showcasing his submission skills and striking power.
Dricus Du Plessis Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Du Plessis’s family background are limited, but he is known to be of Afrikaner heritage and was born and raised in South Africa.
Personal Life
Dricus Du Plessis is engaged to Vasti Spiller, having proposed on his 31st birthday in January 2025. He resides in Hatfield, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa. Du Plessis is bilingual, speaking both English and Afrikaans. In 2023, he underwent surgery to correct a breathing impairment that had affected his oxygen intake during fights.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Du Plessis remained a prominent figure in the UFC middleweight division. He made his second title defense against Sean Strickland, winning by unanimous decision. Later that year, he faced undefeated contender Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 but lost the middleweight title via unanimous decision. Throughout the season, Du Plessis demonstrated resilience and maintained a high level of competition despite the setback. His team, Team CIT MMA, continued to support his training and strategic development as he aims to reclaim his position at the top of the division.