DRICUS DU PLESSIS

Hailing from South Africa, Dricus du Plessis competes in the middleweight division out of Team CIT MMA. The orthodox fighter previously captured championships in both EFC and KSW before transitioning to the UFC, where he became the organization's inaugural titleholder from his home nation. Known for applying constant pressure during his bouts, he built his reputation by securing significant wins against high-profile opponents such as Robert Whittaker, Israel Adesanya, and Sean Strickland.

Entering this contest with a career mark of 23-3-0, the South African maintains a mixed record across his most recent outings. His latest appearance resulted in a unanimous decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev in August 2025. Prior to that setback, he enjoyed a four-fight winning streak that included victories over Sean Strickland, Israel Adesanya, and Robert Whittaker.