Dricus Du Plessis Hits Back at Haters After Losing to UFC Middleweight Title to Khamzat Chimaev

• Dricus Du Plessis responds to online criticism following his recent UFC middleweight title loss to Khamzat Chimaev in the United States of America
• The South African fighter was trolled by netizens after the defeat, but got a lovely message from Chimaev after the bout
• The former UFC champions' address was met with different reactions from netizens on social media

MMA star Dricus du Plessis isn’t staying silent after his recent UFC middleweight title defeat to Khamzat Chimaev, and he has a message for the critics.

The South African fighter was criticised and trolled after losing to the Russian-born combat sports star in their title bout at UFC 319 at the United Centre in Chicago on Sunday, August 17, 2025.

After being trolled on social media, mainly by South Africans, the new UFC middleweight champion sent a lovely message to the South African after defeating him in the octagon.

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Dricus du Plessis hits back at critics

In a viral video from a recent interview, Du Plessis commented on people's opinions about him and also faced criticism from fans, including South Africans.

"If I take everybody's opinion into consideration, I wouldn't even be fighting in the backyard, because that's what I've been told by so many people, and there are so many fans—South African fans included, especially now," he said.

"I get so much love, but you always get those rotten apples. And a lot of people, I'm talking once again about my mom, she'll ignore 100 good comments for that one, and she's like, 'What’s this guy saying?'"

The former UFC middleweight champion accepted that the criticism would always be there, but it doesn't affect him negatively.

"It's always going to be there, and it doesn't fuel me," he concluded. "I fuel myself. I don't thrive on proving people wrong; I only thrive on proving people right."

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Du Plessis' submission sparked different reactions from netizens on social media.

Reactions as du Plessis hits back at critics

za.chase wrote:

"This is a winning mentality, I don’t doubt he’ll be back stronger."

kapiiieee_2002 said:

"DDP has taken us so high we the fans are his Champ Belt forever 🏼 much love win or lose @dricusduplessis you put us on the map and there only one DDP."

bumblebee_davis shared:

"Come on Dricus🔥 you know you gonna get that belt back bud🙌."

deveshxye commented:

"@dricusduplessis Craig gonna be at jack's camp you should join I don't know much but I hope you return and take the belt back."

fluoride.detector2.0 reacted:

"He should bring in Craig Jones for his next camp, and continue to do so until he earns a rematch."

enteekayy added:

"Yeah I’m that bad apple - you lost your fight against Khamzat the moment you did a PR stunt with Trump. At the end of the day you’re a fighter & I’m a fight analyst and you can’t wing your fights anymore. My plot armour doesn’t protect you anymore. You’re in the big bad world of life and spiritual warfare."

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How much Du Plessis earned compared to Chimaev

Briefly News also reported that Dricus du Plessis earned more money than Khamzat Chimaev despite the South African losing to the Russian-born fighter.

The Emirati MMA star was expected to earn more as the winner of the title bout, but the reverse is the case on this one as the SA fighter took home the larger share.

Source: Briefly News