Dricus Du Plessis, the rising star of mixed martial arts, is not just another fighter looking to quickly ascend the ranks. With a current MMA record of 23 wins and only 2 losses, and an impeccable 9-0 streak in the UFC, it’s clear he has the talent to challenge for titles. However, what sets Du Plessis apart is his disciplined approach to the championship journey. He is eyeing a super-fight with Alex Pereira, the reigning light heavyweight champion, but understands the importance of earning that opportunity through a solidified legacy in the middleweight division.
While Du Plessis has successfully defended his middleweight title against Sean Strickland at UFC 312, he is adamant about ensuring his position in the sport is unassailable before moving up. His post-fight remarks revealed a deep respect for Pereira, whom he acknowledges as a formidable opponent and one of the best in the sport. Du Plessis stated, “I have the world of respect for Alex Pereira. I think he’s the world’s pound-for-pound best.” This acknowledgment demonstrates a level of maturity and strategic thinking; Du Plessis is not just chasing fame but rather the chance to genuinely claim his spot among the sport’s elite.
A pivotal aspect of Du Plessis’s career path is his desire to face Khamzat Chimaev, an undefeated force in the UFC’s middleweight division. Many fans and analysts consider Chimaev as the uncrowned champion at 185 pounds. Du Plessis recognizes that before he can shift his attention to Pereira, he must first cement his dominance over Chimaev. He articulated, “I want to make sure that this belt, that his middleweight title, that there is no question that I’m the GOAT of the middleweight division.” For Du Plessis, the conflict against Chimaev is more than just a title match; it is a necessary step to validate his claim as one of the greats in the sport.
Du Plessis’s thoughts on greatness extend beyond the number of title defenses. He emphasizes the quality of opponents faced and the circumstances surrounding each fight. His perspective sheds light on the complexities of defining what makes a champion. It isn’t solely about winning often but fighting the right opponents in the right phases of one’s career. He pointed to legends like Anderson Silva and Israel Adesanya, underlining that while they hold the status of greatest of all time (GOAT), there’s a distinct narrative that accompanies each champion’s legacy.
Ultimately, Dricus Du Plessis is demonstrating that he is not just a fighter hungry for quick accolades but rather a thoughtful competitor committed to building a legacy. His desire to face Khamzat Chimaev before challenging Alex Pereira for the light heavyweight title reflects a comprehensive understanding of what it means to be a champion in the UFC landscape. In a sport often driven by immediate gratification, Du Plessis’s calculated approach is refreshing and could very well pave the way for his future successes. In his quest to achieve greatness, Du Plessis has made it clear: he will not rush the process, but instead will wait until the right moment to claim his destiny.