Dricus du Plessis explained

Dricus du Plessis
Other Names:Stillknocks
Birth Date:1994 1, df=yes[1]
Birth Place:Welkom, Orange Free State, South Africa
Weight:185 lb
Weight Class:Middleweight (2013–2015; 2019–present)
Welterweight (2013–2018)
Reach:76 in[2]
Stance:Orthodox
Fighting Out Of:Hatfield, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Team:Team CIT MMA
Trainer:Morne Visser
Rank:2nd degree black belt in kickboxing
Years Active:2013–present (MMA)
Mma Kowin:9
Mma Subwin:11
Mma Decwin:2
Mma Koloss:1
Mma Subloss:1
Am Label:Amateur kickboxing record[3]
Am Win:33
Am Loss:0
Am Kowin:30
Sherdog:146193

Dricus du Plessis (born 14 January 1994), also known by his initials DDP, is a South African professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is the current UFC Middleweight Champion and the first South African to win a UFC championship.[4] As of 20 August, 2024, he is #6 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings.[5] Outside of the UFC, du Plessis is also the former Welterweight and Middleweight Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) Champion, and the former Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki (KSW) Welterweight Champion.

Background

du Plessis is an Afrikaner,[6] [7] and was born in Welkom, South Africa. du Plessis began training in judo at the age of five, followed by wrestling at twelve, then kickboxing at fourteen.[8] In 2012, at 17 years old, du Plessis became South Africa's first medalist at the WAKO World Championships by winning gold in K-1 style kickboxing,[9] but migrated to mixed martial arts after realizing there was not as much money in kickboxing.[10] Along with martial arts, du Plessis also played rugby throughout his schooling years[11] and has since been a vocal supporter of the Springboks, South Africa's national rugby team.[12] [13] He attended the University of Pretoria, where he studied agricultural economics but dropped out during the final year to pursue a career in mixed martial arts.[14]

Mixed martial arts career

Extreme Fighting Championship

du Plessis had three amateur bouts before he made his professional debut in 2013, compiling a 4–0 record before facing future UFC fighter and then-EFC Middleweight Champion Garreth McLellan at EFC Africa 33, losing via guillotine choke submission in the third round.[15]

In June 2015, du Plessis made his welterweight debut at EFC Africa 40 against Dino Bagattin, winning via a second-round rear-naked choke submission.[16] After going 3–0 in 2015, du Plessis faced veteran striker Martin Van Staden at EFC 50 for the vacant EFC Welterweight Championship. du Plessis won via guillotine choke submission in the third round.[17] du Plessis was later set to defend his title against one of its former holders, Henry Fadipe. However, the bout was cancelled when Fadipe encountered issues with his visa.[18]

du Plessis returned to EFC in 2017, defeating Brazilian Mauricio Da Rocha Jr. in a welterweight contest before facing Yannick Bahati at EFC Africa 62 for the Middleweight Championship. du Plessis won by guillotine choke at 1:30 of the first round, becoming a two-division champion within the promotion.[19]

Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki

In 2018, du Plessis was slated to challenge Roberto Soldić for the KSW Welterweight Championship at KSW 43: Soldić vs. Du Plessis on 14 April. In an upset, du Plessis dethroned Soldic via TKO, after dropping him with a left hook.[20] The two would later rematch at KSW 45: De Fries vs. Bedorf in October of that year, with du Plessis losing via third-round knockout.[21]

du Plessis fought again for KSW at KSW 50 against Joilton Santos, winning via TKO.[22]

Return to EFC

After Brendan Lesar upset veteran Garreth McLellan for the EFC Interim Middleweight Championship at EFC Africa 80,[23] du Plessis was next set to face Lesar for the title at EFC Africa 83. du Plessis won via first-round guillotine choke submission.[24]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

du Plessis made his promotional debut against Markus Perez on 11 October 2020 at UFC Fight Night 179.[25] He won the fight via knockout in round one.[26]

du Plessis was scheduled to face Trevin Giles on 20 March 2021 at UFC on ESPN 21.[27] However, du Plessis pulled out due to visa issues which restricted his travel and was replaced by Roman Dolidze.[28] The bout with Giles was rescheduled for 10 July 2021 on UFC 264.[29] du Plessis won the fight via knockout in round two.[30] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[31]

du Plessis was scheduled to face Chris Curtis on 9 April 2022 at UFC 273.[32] However, Curtis withdrew due to a wrist injury and was replaced by Anthony Hernandez.[33] The bouts were yet again shuffled after Nassourdine Imavov withdrew due to visa issues, with du Plessis now facing Kelvin Gastelum.[34] However, Gastelum withdrew a week before the event due to an undisclosed injury and his bout with du Plessis was cancelled.[35]

du Plessis then faced Brad Tavares at UFC 276 on 2 July 2022.[36] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[37]

du Plessis faced Darren Till at UFC 282 on 10 December 2022.[38] He won the fight via submission in round three.[39] This fight earned him his first Fight of the Night award.[40]

du Plessis faced Derek Brunson on 4 March 2023, at UFC 285.[41] He won the fight via technical knockout due to a corner stoppage at 4:59 of the second round.[42]

du Plessis faced former UFC Middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in a title eliminator fight on 8 July 2023, at UFC 290.[43] He won the fight via technical knockout in the second round.[44] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award and the number one contender spot in the middleweight division.[45]

Following his defeat of Whittaker, it was expected that du Plessis would face Israel Adesanya for the UFC Middleweight Championship at UFC 293.[46] However, du Plessis decided not to fight due to a leg injury, and was replaced by Sean Strickland.[47]

UFC Middleweight Champion

du Plessis faced Sean Strickland for the UFC Middleweight Championship on 20 January 2024, at UFC 297.[48] The pair were in attendance at UFC 296 on 16 December 2023, seated within two rows of each-other by Dana White's arrangement.[49] While exchanging words, Strickland gestured for audience members to move and attacked du Plessis. The brawl was quickly broken up and Strickland was escorted out of the event.[50] [51] [52] At UFC 297, du Plessis won the bout by split decision, becoming the first UFC champion from South Africa.[53] 13 out of 24 media outlets scored the bout for du Plessis.[54] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night bonus.[55]

du Plessis made his first title defense against former two-time UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya on 18 August 2024 at UFC 305.[56] He won the fight via a face crank submission in the fourth round, Adesanya's first career submission loss.[57]

Submission grappling career

du Plessis represented his team, CIT MMA, at a Submission Kings Quintet event, where he submitted all five members of the Gracie Barra team to win the match.[58]

Personal life

du Plessis is bilingual; he speaks English and Afrikaans.[59]

In April 2023, du Plessis underwent surgery to fix a breathing impairment in his nose. According to a post made by his coach Morne Visser on Instagram, du Plessis had been competing in the UFC with "only 8% oxygen" intake through his nostrils. The surgery was originally supposed to take place in 2020 but was put on hold after du Plessis signed with the UFC.[60] [61] [62] In 2024, it was revealed that Visser would use a taser on du Plessis' feet as a training method.[63]

Championships and accomplishments

Kickboxing

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

|-|Win|align=center|22–2|Israel Adesanya|Submission (face crank)|UFC 305 | |align=center|4|align=center|3:38|Perth, Australia||-|Win|align=center|21–2|Sean Strickland|Decision (split)|UFC 297||align=center|5|align=center|5:00|Toronto, Ontario, Canada||-|Win|align=center|20–2|Robert Whittaker|TKO (punches)|UFC 290||align=center|2|align=center|2:23|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|19–2|Derek Brunson|TKO (corner stoppage)|UFC 285||align=center|2|align=center|4:59|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||- |Win|align=center|18–2|Darren Till|Submission (face crank)|UFC 282||align=center|3|align=center|2:43|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|17–2|Brad Tavares|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 276| |align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|16–2|Trevin Giles|KO (punches)|UFC 264 ||align=center|2|align=center|1:41|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|15–2|Markus Perez|KO (punches)|||align=center|1|align=center|3:22|Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates||-|Win|align=center|14–2|Brendan Lesar|Submission (guillotine choke)|EFC 83||align=center|1|align=center|4:15|Gauteng, South Africa||-|Win|align=center|13–2|Joilton Santos|TKO (punches)|KSW 50||align=center|2|align=center|3:04|London, England||-|Loss|align=center|12–2|Roberto Soldić|KO (punches)|KSW 45||align=center|3|align=center|2:33|London, England||-|Win|align=center|12–1|Roberto Soldić|TKO (punches)|KSW 43||align=center|2|align=center|1:37|Wrocław, Poland||-|Win|align=center|11–1|Yannick Bahati|Submission (guillotine choke)|EFC 62||align=center|1|align=center|1:30|Gauteng, South Africa||-|Win|align=center|10–1|Maurício da Rocha Jr.|TKO (punches)|EFC 59||align=center|1|align=center|3:58|Gauteng, South Africa||-|Win|align=center|9–1|Rafał Haratyk|Submission (guillotine choke)|EFC 56||align=center|2|align=center|3:34|Gauteng, South Africa||-|Win|align=center|8–1|Martin van Staden|Submission (guillotine choke)|EFC 50||align=center|3|align=center|3:59|Gauteng, South Africa||-|Win|align=center|7–1|Bruno Mukulu|Submission (rear-naked choke)|EFC 46||align=center|2|align=center|2:50|Gauteng, South Africa||-|Win|align=center|6–1|Dino Bagattin |Submission (rear-naked choke)|EFC 40||align=center|2|align=center|3:33|Gauteng, South Africa||-|Win|align=center|5–1|Darren Daniel|Submission (rear-naked choke)|EFC 37||align=center|1|align=center|4:50|Gauteng, South Africa||-|Loss|align=center|4–1|Garreth McLellan|Submission (guillotine choke)|EFC 33||align=center|3|align=center|2:12|Gauteng, South Africa||-|Win|align=center|4–0|Donavin Hawkey|TKO (punches)|EFC 27||align=center|1|align=center|4:50|Gauteng, South Africa||-|Win|align=center|3–0|JC Lamprecht|Submission (rear-naked choke)|EFC 24||align=center|3|align=center|1:54|Gauteng, South Africa||-|Win|align=center|2–0|Bruno Mukulu|Submission (rear-naked choke)|EFC 23||align=center|1|align=center|2:34|Gauteng, South Africa||-|Win|align=center|1–0|Tshikangu Makuebo|TKO (knee injury)|EFC 21||align=center|1|align=center|1:18|Gauteng, South Africa||-

Pay-per-view bouts

No.EventFightDateVenueCityPPV buys
1.UFC 297Strickland vs. du Plessis20 January 2024Scotiabank ArenaToronto, Ontario, CanadaNot Disclosed[67]
2.UFC 305du Plessis vs. Adesanya18 August 2024RAC ArenaPerth, AustraliaNot Disclosed[68]

See also

External links

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Fightcenter: Dricus "Stillknocks" du Plessis. www.tapology.com. 16 December 2019. 16 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191216073038/https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/51267-dricus-du-plessis-stilknocks. live.
  2. Web site: EFC Athletes Profile: Dricus "Stillknocks" du Plessis. www.efcworldwide.com/. 18 March 2016 . 16 December 2019. 4 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191204165158/https://www.efcworldwide.com/fighters/du-plessis/. live.
  3. News: Sam . Dricus Du Plessis Nickname: Why is the South African fighter nicknamed "Stillknocks"? . 3 July 2024 . Marca . 20 January 2024.
  4. Web site: Hemmonsbey . Keanan . 2024-01-21 . Dricus du Plessis makes history as SA's first UFC middleweight champ . 2024-01-21 . Daily Maverick . en.
  5. Web site: UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions UFC.com . 2024-08-20 . www.ufc.com.
  6. https://www.iol.co.za/sport/mma/dricus-du-plessis-gives-las-vegas-some-afrikaans-lessons-at-ufc276-21db33dd-9472-4276-94aa-02d8e15b1b07 Dricus du Plessis gives Las Vegas some Afrikaans lessons at UFC 276
  7. https://www.msn.com/en-za/sports/mma-ufc/huge-congrats-to-south-african-mma-dricus-du-plessis-garners-praise-from-conor-mcgregor-after-major-ufc-win/ar-AA1dCPVL ‘Huge congrats to South African MMA’ - Dricus du Plessis garners praise from Conor McGregor after major UFC win
  8. Web site: Du Plessis - EFC Worldwide. efcworldwide.com. 18 March 2016 . 2019-12-16. 2019-12-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20191204165158/https://www.efcworldwide.com/fighters/du-plessis/. live.
  9. Web site: 2012-09-18 . All Official Results of Cadets & Juniors World Championships! . 2023-12-15 . WAKO . en.
  10. Dricus Du Plessis Rips Kelvin Gastelum: 'He Literally Took Food Off My Table' - MMA Fighting. 5 April 2022. Ariel Helwani. YouTube. 26 April 2022. 26 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220426194709/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MGZRHWVLmw. live.
  11. Web site: 'I'm no brother of yours, son': Dricus du Plessis on being African and loving beer. news24.com. 19 August 2023.
  12. Web site: Dricus du Plessis to carry flag ahead of Springboks vs All Blacks. thesouthafrican.com. 13 August 2022 . 13 August 2022.
  13. Web site: Dricus Du Plessis Eyes Clean Sweep of Wins for South Africa Against Australia. sportsbrief.com. 7 July 2023 . 8 July 2023.
  14. Web site: Dricus du Plessis UFC. UFC.com. 22 September 2020 . 16 October 2020.
  15. Web site: EFC Africa 33 Results: McLellan Chokes Out Du Plessis to Retain Middleweight Title. combatpress.com. 25 January 2020. 30 August 2014. Rob Tatum. 25 January 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200125072010/https://combatpress.com/2014/08/efc-africa-33-mclellan-vs-du-plessis-results/. live.
  16. Web site: Extreme Fighting Championship (Africa) EFC Africa 40. 25 January 2020. 22 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190322161726/https://www.sherdog.com/events/EFC-Extreme-Fighting-Championship-40-45621. live.
  17. Web site: EFC 50 Results. 18 June 2016 . 25 January 2020. 25 January 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200125072015/https://lwmag.co.za/efc-50-results. live.
  18. Web site: Henry Fadipe Cannot Make the Fight. December 16, 2023.
  19. Web site: EFC 62 Results: History is Made. 25 January 2020. 25 January 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200125072012/http://southafricanmma.com/efc-62-results-history-made/. live.
  20. Web site: KSW 43 results: Dricus du Plessis stops Roberto Soldic to claim welterweight title. www.mmafighting.com. 14 April 2018 . 25 January 2020. 25 January 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200125071956/https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/4/14/17238508/ksw-43-results-dricus-du-plessis-stops-roberto-soldic-to-claim-welterweight-title. live.
  21. Web site: KSW 45 took place Saturday night, October 6 from The SSE Arena, Wembley in London, England. www.fight-madness.com. 25 January 2020. 25 January 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200125072011/http://www.fight-madness.com/ksw-45-results/. live.
  22. Web site: KSW 50: London Full Results. 14 September 2019 . cagesidepress.com. 25 January 2020. 25 January 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200125072012/https://cagesidepress.com/2019/09/14/ksw-50-london-results/. live.
  23. Web site: Lesar Scores Major Upset At EFC 80. www.fightsports.tv. 29 June 2019 . 25 January 2020. 27 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210127065427/https://www.fightsports.tv/efc-80-lesar-scores-upset-ko-fiorot-wins-the-fighter/. live.
  24. Web site: Du Plessis takes EFC 83. It was built up over an elongated two years. boksburgadvertiser.co.za. 25 January 2020. Sabelo Mashego. 19 December 2019 . 25 January 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200125072011/https://boksburgadvertiser.co.za/355747/du-plessis-takes-efc-83/. live.
  25. Web site: UFC sets former KSW champion as opponent of Markus Maluko, October 10. globoesporte.com. Raphael Marinho. 2020-09-24. 2020-09-24. 2020-09-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20200929103442/https://globoesporte.globo.com/combate/noticia/ultimate-encaminha-ex-campeao-do-ksw-como-adversario-de-markus-maluko-10-de-outubro.ghtml. live.
  26. Web site: Bitter. Shawn. 2020-10-10. UFC Fight Island 5 Results: Dricus Du Plessis Impresses in Debut With KO. 2020-10-11. Cageside Press. en-US. 2020-10-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20201013070931/https://cagesidepress.com/2020/10/10/ufc-fight-island-5-results-dricus-du-plessis/. live.
  27. Web site: 2021-01-13. Trevin Giles vs. Dricus Du Plessis toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 20 maart. 2021-01-13. MMA DNA. en-US. 2021-01-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20210113040821/https://mmadna.nl/trevin-giles-vs-dricus-du-plessis-toegevoegd-aan-ufc-evenement-op-20-maart/. live.
  28. Web site: Dricus Du Plessis out of UFC Vegas 22, Roman Dolidze steps in to fight Trevin Giles. mmafighting.com. Alexander K. Lee and Mike Heck. 2021-03-10. 2021-03-10. 2021-03-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20210311082457/https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/3/10/22323869/dricus-du-plessis-out-of-ufc-vegas-22-roman-dolidze-steps-in-to-fight-trevin-giles. live.
  29. Web site: UFC 264 adds Dricus Du Plessis vs. Trevin Giles to lineup. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Nolan King. 2021-04-22. 2021-04-22. 2021-04-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20210422163422/https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/04/ufc-264-dricus-du-plessis-vs-trevin-giles-conor-mcgregor-dustin-poirier. live.
  30. Web site: Behunin. Alex. 2021-07-10. UFC 264 Results: Dricus du Plessis Knocks Out Trevin Giles. 2021-07-11. Cageside Press. en-US. 2021-07-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20210711003421/https://cagesidepress.com/2021/07/10/ufc-264-results-dricus-du-plessis-knocks-out-trevin-giles-in-round-two/. live.
  31. Web site: UFC 264 bonuses: Kris Moutinho earns share of Fight of the Night for gutsy performance. mmafighting.com. Alexander K. Lee. 2021-07-11. 2021-07-11. 2021-07-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20210721062754/https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/7/11/22572029/ufc-264-bonuses-kris-moutinho-earns-share-of-fight-of-the-night-for-gutsy-performance. live.
  32. Web site: Shaun Al-Shatti and Mike Heck . 2022-01-25 . Chris Curtis vs. Dricus du Plessis set for UFC 273 . 2022-03-15 . mmafighting.com . 2022-02-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220205185430/https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/1/25/22901708/chris-curtis-vs-dricus-du-plessis-set-for-ufc-273 . live .
  33. Web site: Mike Heck . 2022-03-15 . With Chris Curtis and Albert Duraev out, Dricus Du Plessis now faces Anthony Hernandez at UFC 273 . 2022-03-15 . mmafighting.com . 2022-03-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220331071747/https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/3/15/22979807/with-chris-curtis-and-albert-duraev-out-dricus-du-plessis-now-faces-anthony-hernandez-at-ufc-273 . live .
  34. Web site: 2022-03-29 . With Kelvin Gastelum now facing Dricus Du Plessis, Anthony Hernandez welcomes newcomer Josh Fremd at UFC 273 . 2022-03-29 . mmafighting.com . 2022-03-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220329203730/https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/3/29/23001651/with-kelvin-gastelum-now-facing-dricus-du-plessis-anthony-hernandez-now-meets-josh-fremd-at-ufc-273 . live .
  35. Web site: Shaun Al-Shatti . 2022-04-01 . Kelvin Gastelum injured, UFC 273 bout with Dricus du Plessis canceled . 2022-04-01 . mmafighting.com . 2022-04-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220402011805/https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/4/1/23007247/kelvin-gastelum-injured-ufc-273-bout-with-dricus-du-plessis-canceled . live .
  36. Web site: Brad Tavares vs. Dricus Du Plessis set for UFC 276. 19 April 2022. mmafighting.com. Alexander K. Lee. 26 April 2022. 28 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220428134725/https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/4/19/23032113/brad-tavares-vs-dricus-du-plessis-set-for-ufc-276. live.
  37. Web site: Doherty . Dan . 2022-07-02 . UFC 276: Dricus Du Plessis Batters Brad Tavares in Bloody Brawl . 2022-07-03 . Cageside Press . en-US . 2022-07-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220703032137/https://cagesidepress.com/2022/07/02/ufc-276-brad-tavares-vs-dricus-du-plessis/ . live .
  38. Web site: Shelton . Cole . 2022-09-07 . Darren Till booked for return at UFC 282 against Dricus Du Plessis . 2022-10-23 . BJPenn.com . en-US . 2022-10-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221023034307/https://www.bjpenn.com/mma-news/ufc/darren-till-booked-for-return-at-ufc-282-against-dricus-du-plessis/ . live .
  39. Web site: Dewar . Val . 2022-12-10 . UFC 282: Dricus Du Plessis Submits Darren Till, Spoils Return . 2022-12-11 . Cageside Press . en-US . 2022-12-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221211041120/https://cagesidepress.com/2022/12/10/ufc-282-dricus-du-plessis-submits-darren-till-late-in-round-three/ . live .
  40. Web site: Hiergesell . Dan . 2022-12-11 . Bonuses! All Fighters With Finishes Collect $50K . 2022-12-11 . MMAmania.com . en . 2022-12-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221211070555/https://www.mmamania.com/2022/12/11/23503279/official-ufc-282-bonus-winners-results-ankalaev-blachowicz-paddy-pimblett-espn-ppv-results . live .
  41. Web site: Derek Brunson vs. Dricus Du Plessis added to UFC 285 lineup in March. MMA Junkie. Mike Bohn. 2022-12-28. 2022-12-28. 2022-12-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20221228224659/https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/12/derek-brunson-vs-dricus-du-plessis-added-to-ufc-285-lineup-in-march. live.
  42. Web site: UFC 285: War with Dricus du Plessis ends with Derek Brunson's corner throwing in the towel. Cageside Press. Jay Anderson. 2023-03-04. 2023-03-04. 2023-03-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20230305023051/https://cagesidepress.com/2023/03/04/ufc-285-derek-brunson-vs-dricus-du-plessis/. live.
  43. Web site: 2023-04-21 . Robert Whittaker vs. Dricus Du Plessis added to UFC 290; Dana White says winner gets Israel Adesanya . 2023-04-22 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  44. Web site: Dewar . Val . 2023-07-08 . UFC 290: Dricus Du Plessis Stuns the World, TKOs Robert Whittaker . 2023-07-09 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  45. Web site: 2023-07-09 . UFC 290 bonuses: Only one of the sub-40-second stoppages got an extra $50,000 . 2023-07-09 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  46. Web site: UFC 290 video: Israel Adesanya, next challenger Dricus Du Plessis have racially charged in-cage faceoff . mmajunkie.usatoday.com . 9 July 2023 . en-US.
  47. Web site: UFC 293 fight card: Israel Adesanya to defend middleweight title against Sean Strickland in Australia . cbssports.com . 8 August 2023 . en-US.
  48. Web site: Dana White announces three UFC title fights to headline three pay-per-views in early 2024 . mmajunkie.usatoday.com . 6 November 2023 . en-US.
  49. Web site: Martin . Damon . 2023-12-17 . Dana White blames himself for Sean Strickland vs. Dricus du Plessis brawl at UFC 296: 'This assh***' sat them next to each other' . 2023-12-18 . MMA Fighting . en.
  50. Web site: December 16, 2023 . Toronto main event fighters Strickland, du Plessis fight in crowd at UFC 296 . 2023-12-18 . Sportsnet.ca . en.
  51. Web site: Mackenzie . Alasdair . December 17, 2023 . UFC 296: Sean Strickland attacks Dricus Du Plessis in the middle of shocked Vegas crowd - 'Out of his mind' . 2023-12-18 . eurosport.com.
  52. Web site: Tabuena . Anton . 2023-12-17 . UFC champ Sean Strickland removed from UFC 296 after cageside brawl with Dricus Du Plessis - UPDATED . 2023-12-18 . Bloody Elbow . en.
  53. Web site: McCorry . Patrick . 2024-01-21 . Dricus Du Plessis Realizes Dream, Takes Split Decision And Title . 2024-01-21 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  54. Web site: MMA Decisions - Dricus Du Plessis defeats Sean Strickland. mmadecisions.com. MMA Decisions. 2024-01-20. 2024-08-18.
  55. Web site: UFC 297 Results - Winners, Finishes, Bonuses And Highlights. Forbes.com. Brian Mazique. 2024-01-21. 2024-01-21.
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