Dricus Du Plessis
Stillknocks
South Africa
Loses middleweight title
Du Plessis lost the middleweight title on Saturday, falling to Khamzat Chimaev via unanimous decision (44-50, 44-50, 44-50), at UFC 319 in Chicago, Illinois.
ANALYSIS
We almost certainly have never seen a dominant champion beaten this soundly. Chimaev got his first takedown within 30 seconds of the fight starting, and didn't look back until the gold was around his waist. Du Plessis was able to get a takedown of his own and some back control late in Round 5, but was never close to turning the tide. It was always assumed that the slopiness of the former champion's game would come back to haunt him, but few could have imagined a beating like this, as Du Plessis landed single-digit strikes in every frame but the fifth. While it seems odd to say that the South African's next move is uncertain, it's hard to believe he will ever be able to compete with Chimaev, which makes one wonder what kind of fights he will take while "Borz" has the belt. Du Plessis had been riding a nine-fight win streak before the loss here. He falls to 23-3-0 in professional MMA as a result.
We almost certainly have never seen a dominant champion beaten this soundly. Chimaev got his first takedown within 30 seconds of the fight starting, and didn't look back until the gold was around his waist. Du Plessis was able to get a takedown of his own and some back control late in Round 5, but was never close to turning the tide. It was always assumed that the slopiness of the former champion's game would come back to haunt him, but few could have imagined a beating like this, as Du Plessis landed single-digit strikes in every frame but the fifth. While it seems odd to say that the South African's next move is uncertain, it's hard to believe he will ever be able to compete with Chimaev, which makes one wonder what kind of fights he will take while "Borz" has the belt. Du Plessis had been riding a nine-fight win streak before the loss here. He falls to 23-3-0 in professional MMA as a result.
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Will defend title vs. Chimaev
Du Plessis will defend his UFC middleweight championship against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 on Aug. 16, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Du Plessis has successfully defended his title twice, but he'll face one of the biggest challenges of his entire career when he takes on Chimaev. Du Plessis' most recent bout was a win over Sean Strickland via unanimous decision on Feb. 8. His previous title defense came against Israel Adesanya on Aug. 2024.
Du Plessis has successfully defended his title twice, but he'll face one of the biggest challenges of his entire career when he takes on Chimaev. Du Plessis' most recent bout was a win over Sean Strickland via unanimous decision on Feb. 8. His previous title defense came against Israel Adesanya on Aug. 2024.
Cruises in second title defense
Du Plessis successfully defended his UFC Middleweight Championship on Saturday, defeating Sean Strickland via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46) at UFC 312 in Sydney, Australia.
ANALYSIS
When these two fought almost exactly a year ago, they appeared to be shockingly evenly-matched. Less than 13 months later, du Plessis appeared to be on another level. Now, part of that is the result of Strickland putting forth a true stinker (and breaking his nose late), but the champion deserves credit for dominating from start to finish. Dricus employed a basic game plan, getting off first in virtually all the striking exchanges and landing the much bigger blows. The biggest shot of the night was a straight right hand up the middle in Round 4 which broke Strickland's nose on the spot. Du Plessis won the first fight on the strength of his wrestling. Here, he attempted just two takedowns, landing one. It was a 25-minute sparring match, one in which Dricus completely dominated. He better rest up, cause his next title defense will almost certainly be against Khamzat Chimaev, a guy that employs a totally different style than what we saw from Strickland this evening.
When these two fought almost exactly a year ago, they appeared to be shockingly evenly-matched. Less than 13 months later, du Plessis appeared to be on another level. Now, part of that is the result of Strickland putting forth a true stinker (and breaking his nose late), but the champion deserves credit for dominating from start to finish. Dricus employed a basic game plan, getting off first in virtually all the striking exchanges and landing the much bigger blows. The biggest shot of the night was a straight right hand up the middle in Round 4 which broke Strickland's nose on the spot. Du Plessis won the first fight on the strength of his wrestling. Here, he attempted just two takedowns, landing one. It was a 25-minute sparring match, one in which Dricus completely dominated. He better rest up, cause his next title defense will almost certainly be against Khamzat Chimaev, a guy that employs a totally different style than what we saw from Strickland this evening.
Set for Strickland rematch
Du Plessis will defend his UFC Middleweight Championship against Sean Strickland (leg) in the main event of UFC 312 on Feb. 8, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
This is a rematch of a title fight that took place in January of 2024 in which Du Plessis became the champion via split decision despite being out-landed 173-to-137 in significant strikes. The judges ultimately decided that du Plessis landed the more damaging blows, and his six takedowns certainly didn't hurt his cause. Since then, Strickland picked up a split-decision victory over Paulo Costa in June but has been sidelined since due to a leg injury. Du Plessis also has a fight on the record since then, as he took out long-time champion Israel Adesanya via fourth-round submission back in August.
This is a rematch of a title fight that took place in January of 2024 in which Du Plessis became the champion via split decision despite being out-landed 173-to-137 in significant strikes. The judges ultimately decided that du Plessis landed the more damaging blows, and his six takedowns certainly didn't hurt his cause. Since then, Strickland picked up a split-decision victory over Paulo Costa in June but has been sidelined since due to a leg injury. Du Plessis also has a fight on the record since then, as he took out long-time champion Israel Adesanya via fourth-round submission back in August.
Remains king at 185 pounds
Du Plessis successfully defended the UFC Middleweight Championship on Saturday, defeating Israel Adesanya via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:38 of Round 4 at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia.
ANALYSIS
It's literally impossible to attempt to accurately break down a du Plessis fight. There's no one on the UFC roster, man or woman, that comes close to fighting a similar style. DDP was up 29-28 on two of the three scorecards, but it easily could have be reversed. Dricus was giving up plenty of volume to Izzy in exchange for landing the more powerful blows. That said, it was his grappling game that won him the fight. With du Plessis seemingly tiring late in Round 4 and in all sorts of trouble, he clocked Adesanya with a few blows along the fence which led to an easy takedown. He then quickly clamped on the rear-naked choke that ended the fight. Dricus has a unique ability to fight through even the most difficult situations. It cannot be taught. He always looks gassed, but he's never out of a fight. Undefeated for going on six years now, DDP is 8-0 in the UFC with six stoppage victories. His last three wins are over Adesanya, Sean Strickland and Robert Whittaker. The South African is off to one of the greatest runs to begin his UFC career in company history.
It's literally impossible to attempt to accurately break down a du Plessis fight. There's no one on the UFC roster, man or woman, that comes close to fighting a similar style. DDP was up 29-28 on two of the three scorecards, but it easily could have be reversed. Dricus was giving up plenty of volume to Izzy in exchange for landing the more powerful blows. That said, it was his grappling game that won him the fight. With du Plessis seemingly tiring late in Round 4 and in all sorts of trouble, he clocked Adesanya with a few blows along the fence which led to an easy takedown. He then quickly clamped on the rear-naked choke that ended the fight. Dricus has a unique ability to fight through even the most difficult situations. It cannot be taught. He always looks gassed, but he's never out of a fight. Undefeated for going on six years now, DDP is 8-0 in the UFC with six stoppage victories. His last three wins are over Adesanya, Sean Strickland and Robert Whittaker. The South African is off to one of the greatest runs to begin his UFC career in company history.
Scheduled against Stylebender
Du Plessis is scheduled to defend the UFC Middleweight Championship against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in Perth on Aug. 18, per Adesanya's announcement Monday.
ANALYSIS
This will be du Plessis' first defense of the UFC Middleweight Championship. Before defeating Sean Strickland in Toronto, DDP was given a chance to compete against then-champion Adesanya at UFC 293. Dealing with an injury, du Plessis declined the opportunity, allowing Strickland to fight and defeat Stylebender. Even though DDP-Adesanya never materialized during 2023, they will get a chance to settle the score in 2024. Except for Strickland, Adesanya has both defeated each of du Plessis' opponents the latter fought en route to winning UFC gold and five defenses in his name.
This will be du Plessis' first defense of the UFC Middleweight Championship. Before defeating Sean Strickland in Toronto, DDP was given a chance to compete against then-champion Adesanya at UFC 293. Dealing with an injury, du Plessis declined the opportunity, allowing Strickland to fight and defeat Stylebender. Even though DDP-Adesanya never materialized during 2023, they will get a chance to settle the score in 2024. Except for Strickland, Adesanya has both defeated each of du Plessis' opponents the latter fought en route to winning UFC gold and five defenses in his name.