Dricus du Plessis
- Date of birth: January 14, 1994
- Place of birth: Welkom, Orange Free State, South Africa
- Nationality: South African
- Main activity: Professional mixed martial artist (currently UFC Middleweight Champion)
Dricus du Plessis, also known as "Stillknocks," is a South African professional mixed martial artist. Born in Welkom, Orange Free State, he is the current UFC Middleweight Champion, making history as the first South African to achieve this title. He began training in combat sports at a young age, initially in judo and wrestling, before transitioning to kickboxing and then mixed martial arts. He is known for his aggressive fighting style and strategic approach.
Career
Du Plessis's combat sports journey began early, with judo at age 5 and wrestling by age 12. He moved to kickboxing at 14, becoming South Africa's first medalist at the WAKO World Championships in 2012, winning a gold medal in K-1 style. He made his professional MMA debut in 2013 and quickly rose through the ranks in the Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC), becoming a two-division champion (welterweight and middleweight).
He also held the Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki (KSW) Welterweight Championship. Du Plessis joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 2020 and has maintained an impressive undefeated record in the organization. He achieved a significant milestone in January 2024 by defeating Sean Strickland to become the first South African UFC Middleweight Champion. He successfully defended his title against Israel Adesanya in August 2024.
Awards (2020 to date)
- UFC Middleweight Champion (won January 20, 2024; defended August 17, 2024)
- International Fighter of the Year at the 16th annual World MMA Awards (2024)
- Grammy Award for Best Global Music Performance (for Bayethe shared with Wouter Kellerman and Nomcebo Zikode).
- South African Music Award (SAMA 28) nominee (7 nominations including Album of the Year and Record of the Year for Osama).
Children
Dricus Du Plessis does not have children.
Family
Information about Dricus Du Plessis' parents or siblings is not available in the provided context.
Dating history
Dricus Du Plessis is engaged to Vasti Spiller. He proposed to her on his 31st birthday, 14 January 2025.
UFC wins
- UFC Middleweight Champion (won January 20, 2024; defended August 17, 2024)
- International Fighter of the Year at the 16th annual World MMA Awards (2024)
