SOUTH AFRICAN DRICUS DU PLESSIS WINS GOLD IN UFC

Written by on January 21, 2024

Written by: Khumo Mokoto

 

South African Mixed Martial Arts Athlete Dricus du Plessis defeated Sean Strickland to win the the UFC Middleweight Championship of the World at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada, in the UFC 297, on Sunday morning (South African time).

The 30 year old took the fight to Strickland from the opening round of the fight, showing his intentions. Strickland, who came into this boat as a champion, showed calmness in the first three rounds, allowing du Plessis to exhaust himself, but the Pretoria born fighter continued with his game plan of attacking the US born Strickland.

Du Plessis had the majority of the arena against him, as he was booed from entrance, but the few South Africans who were in attendance also made their presence felt with their South African flags, showing support to the new champion.

Dricus’ kickboxing background worked to his advantage, as he delivered kicks and jabs, which ended up making Strickland bleed in the fourth round.

With no knockout in the boat, the judges had to make a unanimous decision, one was in favour of the American, with the other two being in the favour of the South African.

Du Plessis is the first South African to win a UFC title, and when asked who he would like to face next when he defends his Middleweight title, he without a doubt named Israel Adesanya who lost the same title to Sean Strickland last year.

With Dricus du Plessis being a World Champion, will South Africa have another public holiday like it did when the Springboks won the Rugby World Cup in France last year?


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