DRICUS DU PLESSIS

Representing South Africa, Dricus du Plessis competes within the middleweight class. The Team CIT MMA fighter utilizes an orthodox stance and built his reputation on high-pressure striking combined with a capable submission arsenal. Before ascending to the top tier of international competition, he secured championship titles in KSW and EFC. His tenure in the premier promotion includes a historic middleweight title reign, establishing him as the first athlete from his home nation to capture a belt in that organization. Throughout his journey, he has earned high-profile triumphs over various former champions, including Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland, Robert Whittaker, and Kamaru Usman.

The orthodox fighter enters this upcoming contest with an overall professional record consisting of twenty-four victories and three defeats. His recent activity shows a unanimous decision win against Kamaru Usman in July 2026. This followed a loss by unanimous decision to Khamzat Chimaev in August 2025. Previously, he recorded a unanimous decision victory over Sean Strickland in February 2025 and a submission win via face crank against Israel Adesanya during August 2024. He also holds a split decision win against Sean Strickland from January 2024.