Who is Dricus du Plessis?
Dricus du Plessis, a name that reverberates with the raw power and unyielding spirit of South Africa’s martial arts ascent, stands as a trailblazing figure whose journey from the rugby fields of Pretoria to the pinnacle of the UFC Middleweight Championship has captivated global audiences.
Born on January 14, 1994, in Hatfield, Pretoria, this Afrikaner fighter, nicknamed “Stillknocks,” transformed his childhood passion for judo, wrestling, and kickboxing into a historic career, becoming the first South African to claim a UFC title in 2024.
At 31, du Plessis’s path, marked by an undefeated UFC record, two title defenses, and a polarizing “real African” narrative, reflects a potent blend of athletic prowess, cultural pride, and relentless ambition, positioning him as a transformative icon in mixed martial arts (MMA) as of May 28, 2025.
This Dricus du Plessis’s biography delves into the dynamic rise of a fighter whose unorthodox style and iron will have redefined South Africa’s presence in the global MMA arena, offering a lens into the interplay of personal grit, national identity, and competitive excellence that fuels his legacy.
From his amateur kickboxing dominance to championship reigns in EFC, KSW, and the UFC, du Plessis’s career is a saga of triumphs over setbacks, including a 2014 loss that sharpened his resolve.
His personal life, shaped by a close-knit family, a recent engagement, and a devout Christian faith, adds depth to a figure whose ethnic pride has sparked both inspiration and controversy.
What follows is an in-depth exploration of his early years, pre-prominence combat roots, meteoric UFC ascent, major achievements, personal life, and the evolving legacy of a champion whose “Stillknocks” moniker, born in Pretoria’s gyms, continues to echo through the Octagon, one knockout and submission at a time.
Dricus du Plessis’s Bio-Data
| Name | Dricus du Plessis |
| Date of Birth | January 14, 1994 |
| Age | 31 years old |
| Place of Birth | Hatfield, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa |
| Occupation | Professional Mixed Martial Artist (MMA Fighter), UFC Middleweight Champion |
| Net Worth | Estimated at $1 million to $5 million USD (approximately R15 million to R75 million, based on UFC earnings, sponsorships, and endorsements.) |
| Source | Bsgistnews.com |
Du Plessis’s Early Life and Education
Dricus du Plessis, born on January 14, 1994, in Hatfield, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa, grew up in a vibrant Afrikaner community that shaped his resilient character.
Some sources, like ESPN and Sportskeeda, incorrectly list Welkom, Free State, as his birthplace, but primary records, including his UFC biography and interviews, confirm Hatfield.
The youngest son of Japie and Gerda du Plessis, he was raised alongside two older brothers, Niel, an MMA fighter and attorney, and WC, CEO of Orzella Investments.
His parents, both alumni of Theunissen Hoërskool, fostered a sports-driven household, with Japie encouraging Dricus’s athletic pursuits and Gerda providing nurturing support.
Dricus du Plessis’s athletic journey began at age five with judo, followed by wrestling at 12 and kickboxing at 14.
He also played rugby, representing the Blue Bulls under-19 team and touring Argentina, idolizing Springbok Schalk Burger.
A vocal supporter of South Africa’s national rugby team, the Springboks, he dreamed of playing at iconic venues like Loftus Versfeld.
He attended a private school in Pretoria, though its name is undisclosed, and enrolled at the University of Pretoria to study agricultural economics.
He dropped out in his final year to pursue mixed martial arts (MMA), a decision driven by financial prospects after his 2012 WAKO World Championship gold medal in K-1 kickboxing, where he became South Africa’s first medalist.
Career Before Prominence
Du Plessis’s combat sports career began with an undefeated 33-0 amateur kickboxing record, with 30 knockouts, earning him the nickname “Stillknocks” from his brother Niel.
Transitioning to MMA for better earnings, he debuted professionally on July 25, 2013, at Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) Africa 21, defeating Tshikangu Makuebo via first-round TKO.
He compiled a 4-0 record before losing his first professional fight to Garreth McLellan at EFC 33 in 2014 via guillotine choke submission, a setback that fueled his determination.
In 2015, Dricus du Plessis debuted at welterweight, defeating Dino Bagattin via rear-naked choke at EFC 40.
In 2016, he won the vacant EFC Welterweight Championship against Martin van Staden via guillotine choke at EFC 50.
Returning to middleweight, he claimed the EFC Middleweight Championship in 2017 by submitting Yannick Bahati at EFC 62, becoming a two-division champion.
In 2018, he joined Poland’s Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki (KSW), upsetting Roberto Soldić via second-round TKO to win the KSW Welterweight Championship at KSW 43.
He lost the title in a rematch at KSW 45 via third-round knockout, his second and final professional loss.
Returning to EFC, he unified the Middleweight Championship against Brendan Lesar in 2020 via guillotine choke.
Dricus du Plessis’s Professional MMA Career
Dricus du Plessis debuted in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on October 11, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 179, knocking out Markus Perez in the first round.
Despite visa issues delaying a 2021 bout with Trevin Giles, he won their rescheduled fight at UFC 264 via second-round knockout, earning a Performance of the Night bonus.
His aggressive, unpredictable style, often appearing cumbersome yet effective, led to victories over Brad Tavares (UFC 276, unanimous decision), Darren Till (UFC 282, face crank submission), Derek Brunson (UFC 285, TKO), and Robert Whittaker (UFC 290, second-round TKO).
On January 20, 2024, Dricus du Plessis won the UFC Middleweight Championship at UFC 297, defeating Sean Strickland via split decision, becoming the first South African UFC champion.
He defended his title against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 on August 17, 2024, submitting him via rear-naked choke in the fourth round, and again against Strickland in a rematch at UFC 312 on February 8, 2025, via unanimous decision, breaking Strickland’s nose.
As of March 11, 2025, he is ranked #5 in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings with a 23-2 record, boasting an 87% finish rate (9 knockouts, 11 submissions).
He is slated to defend his title against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319, with sportsbooks favoring Du Plessis.
Major Achievements
Dricus du Plessis’s achievements are historic. He is the first South African to win a UFC championship, securing the Middleweight title in 2024 and defending it twice by 2025.
His 2012 WAKO Junior K-1 World Championship gold made him South Africa’s first medalist in the event.
He holds titles in EFC (Welterweight and Middleweight), KSW (Welterweight), and UFC (Middleweight), with a 9-0 UFC record.
His awards include two UFC Performance of the Night bonuses (Giles, Till) and two Fight of the Night honors.
His 33-0 amateur kickboxing record and second-degree black belt in kickboxing underscore his striking prowess, while his grappling, refined under coach Morne Visser at Team CIT in Pretoria, has produced 11 submission victories.
Personal Life
Dricus du Plessis is engaged to Vasti Spiller, a boxing coach, photographer, and social media influencer, proposing on his 31st birthday, January 14, 2025.
The couple, public since his UFC 297 win, has no children as of August 2024.
A devout Christian, his faith shapes his values, evident in 2013 Facebook posts and public statements.
Of Afrikaner descent, with ancestors likely from northern France due to religious persecution, he proudly identifies as South African, sparking controversy by claiming to be the “real African” champion, upsetting fighters like Adesanya at UFC 305.
He resides in Pretoria, training at Team CIT, and has over 650,000 Instagram followers (@dricusduplessis), where he shares fight updates and family tributes, including Mother’s Day posts for Gerda.
In April 2023, Dricus du Plessis underwent surgery to correct a breathing impairment, addressing a broken nose from years of combat, improving his performance.
His brother Niel, with a 3-2 EFC record, trains in Pretoria, inspired by Dricus’s success.
His parents, retired in South Africa, remain supportive, rarely appearing publicly.
Du Plessis’s X activity, mirrored by fans like @HoussamNasr2, highlights his championship reign and national pride.
Legacy and Impact
At 31, as of May 28, 2025, Dricus du Plessis’s net worth is estimated between $1 million and $5 million, derived from UFC earnings (approximately $10,000 per fight, plus bonuses), sponsorships, and endorsements, though exact figures are unverified.
His legacy is one of groundbreaking achievement and cultural significance.
As South Africa’s first UFC champion, he has inspired a generation of fighters, with his 23-2 record and 87% finish rate cementing his status as a middleweight powerhouse.
His victories over Strickland, Adesanya, and Whittaker showcase his versatility, blending grappling and striking in an unorthodox style refined by breathing surgery.
His Afrikaner identity and “real African” comments sparked debates on ethnicity, with critics like Adesanya challenging his claims, yet Dricus du Plessis’s pride in representing South Africa resonates with fans, as seen on X.
His rugby background and Springboks fandom connect him to national culture, while his Christian faith and family values humanize his public image.
Critics note his early UFC stamina issues and polarizing persona, but his 11-fight winning streak and title defenses silence doubters.
As he prepares for Chimaev, Du Plessis’s journey, from Pretoria’s rugby fields to the UFC Octagon, stands as a testament to perseverance, national pride, and martial artistry, his “Stillknocks” moniker echoing a legacy of relentless triumphs and historic firsts.
Conclusion
Dricus du Plessis’s meteoric journey through the global arena of mixed martial arts stands as a compelling testament to unrelenting grit, unorthodox brilliance, and an unwavering pride in his South African roots, a narrative that arcs from the vibrant streets of Pretoria to the electrifying heights of the UFC Middleweight Championship.
Born on January 14, 1994, in Hatfield, this Afrikaner fighter, aptly nicknamed “Stillknocks,” transformed his early prowess in judo, wrestling, and kickboxing into a historic career, becoming the first South African to claim a UFC title in 2024 and defending it twice by 2025 against formidable foes like Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland.
At 31, with a net worth estimated between $1 million and $5 million as of May 28, 2025, du Plessis’s legacy, forged through an undefeated UFC run, a staggering 87% finish rate, and a polarizing “real African” stance, embodies both groundbreaking achievement and cultural controversy, positioning him as a transformative force in MMA and a national icon.
His legacy is a vibrant mosaic of pioneering triumphs and nuanced debates.
Securing titles in EFC, KSW, and the UFC, alongside his 2012 WAKO World Championship gold, du Plessis has elevated South Africa’s combat sports profile, inspiring a new generation of fighters, as celebrated by fans on X like @HoussamNasr2.
His victories over elite competitors, Whittaker, Till, Adesanya, showcase a versatile, unpredictable style, refined by breathing surgery and training at Team CIT under coach Morne Visser.
Yet, his ethnic pride, particularly claims of being the “real African” champion, ignited tensions with peers like Adesanya, sparking global discussions on identity, while his rugby fandom and Springboks support resonate deeply with South African culture.
Awards like UFC Performance of the Night and a second-degree black belt in kickboxing underscore his technical mastery, though early stamina critiques and a 2014 loss highlight his growth.
On a personal level, Dricus du Plessis remains a grounded figure, engaged to Vasti Spiller, supported by parents Japie and Gerda, and inspired by brother Niel, whose Christian faith and Pretoria upbringing infuse his journey with authenticity.
His Instagram presence, with over 650,000 followers, blends fight hype with family tributes, while his recovery from a 2023 nose surgery reflects his commitment to peak performance.
As of May 28, 2025, Dricus du Plessis stands at a pivotal moment, preparing to face Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319, his title defenses and 11-fight winning streak cementing his elite status, yet his ethnic rhetoric risks alienating global fans.
Whether history will remember him as South Africa’s greatest combat sports pioneer or a polarizing figure in the “African champion” debate, his impact, from Pretoria’s gyms to the UFC Octagon, is undeniable, a legacy of knockouts, submissions, and national pride that continues to reshape MMA’s global stage, one “Stillknocks” victory at a time.
FAQs
Q. Who is Dricus du Plessis?
Dricus du Plessis, born on January 14, 1994, in Hatfield, Pretoria, South Africa, is a professional mixed martial artist and the UFC Middleweight Champion. Nicknamed “Stillknocks,” he is the first South African to win a UFC title, achieving it in January 2024 and defending it twice by 2025.
Q. What are Dricus du Plessis’s major UFC achievements?
He won the UFC Middleweight Championship at UFC 297 on January 20, 2024, defeating Sean Strickland via split decision. He defended his title against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 (August 2024, submission) and Strickland at UFC 312 (February 2025, unanimous decision), maintaining an undefeated 9-0 UFC record with an 87% finish rate.
Q. Why did Dricus du Plessis spark controversy with Israel Adesanya?
His claim of being the “real African” champion, emphasizing his South African birth and residence, provoked Adesanya, who is Nigerian-born and New Zealand-based, leading to heated exchanges before their UFC 305 fight in 2024. The comments stirred debates on ethnic identity in MMA, with some X posts criticizing du Plessis for perceived insensitivity.
Q. What is Dricus du Plessis’s net worth?
As of May 28, 2025, his net worth is estimated at $1 million to $5 million USD (approximately R15 million to R75 million), derived from UFC fight purses (around $10,000 per fight, plus bonuses), sponsorships, and endorsements, though exact figures remain unverified.
Q. What is Dricus du Plessis’s fighting background?
He began with judo at age five, wrestling at 12, and kickboxing at 14, achieving a 33-0 amateur kickboxing record and a 2012 WAKO World Championship gold in K-1. He won EFC Welterweight and Middleweight titles, KSW Welterweight title, and now holds the UFC Middleweight title, training at Team CIT in Pretoria with a second-degree black belt in kickboxing.
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