‘Our Sport Is Tough Enough’: Rampage Jackson Slams Dricus Du Plessis Cornermen Kiss
- UFC Middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis has sparked debate with a surprising gesture ahead of his next big fight
- Rampage Jackson has voiced concern over UFC traditions as fans react to the South African fighter’s controversial actions
- Du Plessis remains unapologetic while preparing for a high-stakes showdown with Russian star Khamzat Chimaev
PAY ATTENTION: You can now search for all your favourite news and topics on Briefly News.
UFC Middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis has sparked online debate after once again kissing his cornermen during preparations for his upcoming fight.
The South African is set to face Russian star Khamzat Chimaev on 16 August in Chicago, in one of the most anticipated bouts of the year at UFC 305.
Source: Getty Images
Du Plessis, who has been engaged to Vasti Spiller since January, has faced criticism before for similar gestures, including kissing his father at MMA events and celebrating victories with other men in front of cameras.
Speaking on The HJR Podcast, MMA fighter and actor Rampage Jackson weighed in, expressing discomfort.
PAY ATTENTION: stay informed and follow us on Google News!
“I’m not used to seeing men kiss on the lips in the UFC, I’m sorry,” he said.
Watch the video below:
Jackson further urged Du Plessis to avoid attaching a stigma to the sport.
“Our sport is already the toughest in the world, so we don’t require all that extra,” he added.
Du Plessis, however, remains unapologetic. In February, he defended his actions on social media:
"Do you guys know my girlfriend? I don’t care anyway. I’m still gonna kiss my coach, my dad, and my brothers."
Watch the clip below:
How much will Du Plessis earn if he wins?
Beyond the controversy, the stakes for his upcoming fight are massive. Sportskeeda reports that Chimaev could earn a record-breaking $1.8 million if he wins the title, while Du Plessis stands to pocket around $3 million should he retain his belt.
Watch the video below:
In his previous fight against Sean Strickland, he earned a base salary of $1.2 million, a $400,000 pay-per-view bonus, and $42,000 in sponsorships, totalling $2.14 million.
Source: Getty Images
When and where to watch the fight in South Africa?
The fight will be broadcast live from Chicago’s United Centre, with South African viewers able to tune in at 4 a.m. (SA time) on Sunday via SuperSport Action and Maximo 1. The exact fight time will depend on the length of preliminary bouts.
Since making his UFC debut in 2020, Du Plessis has remained unbeaten. He claimed the middleweight title earlier this year with a split-decision win over Strickland at UFC 297 and later secured a fourth-round submission over Israel Adesanya at UFC 305, followed by another victory against Strickland by unanimous decision at UFC 312.
Why UFC Africa won't happen yet
Briefly News previously reported that UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis shed light on why hosting a UFC event in South Africa remains unlikely for now.
He explained that ticket prices, which can reach nearly R1 million, are beyond what most locals can afford, making the event financially unfeasible. Du Plessis also pointed out that while South Africa has large venues, very few meet the UFC’s indoor arena standards.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
Source: Briefly News
