UFC Middleweight World Champion, Dricus du Plessis, says his world title victory is the first of many and is only the beginning of the Dricus du Plessis era.
Dricus, who is the first South African to win a UFC world title, landed back in South Africa earlier today after winning against Sean Strickland in Canada on Sunday.
The 30-year-old claimed the win by a point in the bout that went for all five rounds.
Addressing journalists at the OR Tambo International Airport, de Plessis said that waiting to hear the judges’ decision that declared him a world champ was the most intense moment of his life.
“When they started announcing the decision, I’ve never prayed so hard in my life,” he said.
He says this is only the beginning for his rise on the international stage in the MMA world.
“After this I want to go up in weight division and fight for another title,” he added.
Scores of local waited in anticipation for his arrival to welcome the MMA star back into the country.
[ON AIR] UFC Middleweight World Champion Dricus du Plessis returns home. He’s the first South African to win a UFC world title. #DStv403 #eNCA pic.twitter.com/bUd3keu8Hn
β eNCA (@eNCA) January 25, 2024
The champnis home !!!! Long live the king. #dricus #stillknocks #ufc #champion @dricusduplessis pic.twitter.com/UJLny2noIl
β Kevin Rademeyer (@kevinrademeyer) January 25, 2024
A warm welcome for @dricusduplessis as he arrives home with the UFC title π. Excitement is buzzing at OR Tambo this morning! ππ pic.twitter.com/RpOjoF94ng
β Peter Pentz (@PeterPentz) January 25, 2024
While many South Africans are celebrating Du Plessis’ win, he has annoyed some over his remarks in which he labelled the country’s government as ‘the worst in the world’.
DDP made the comments during an interview with Nina Drama, who posed the question: “What’s your government like?”
”I would go the worst government of the world by a long shot, I would say our government is as far ahead in being the worst government in the world.”
If you want to argue with what was said here then you are part of the problem. Well done to the champ, @dricusduplessis for talking honestly about our government to the world. pic.twitter.com/ds8HOZ3dRh
β Ngamla Gouws πΏπ¦ (@RenaldoGouws) January 22, 2024
Sports Minister, Zizi Kodwa, has described those comments as unfortunate.
Written by: Nonhlanhla Harris
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
9:00 pm - 12:00 am
12:00 am - 2:00 am
2:00 am - 6:00 am
COPYRIGHT 2023