The MMA Guru is one of the sport’s most virally and blatantly vocal content creators. He has amassed a large following of enthusiastic cliques on YouTube with his brutal honesty and edgy humor. For years, while his content gained traction, the MMA fanbase would taunt him for his behind-the-camera physique. However, that all changed thanks to one person — Dricus Du Plessis.
The South African won UFC middleweight undisputed gold by edging out Sean Strickland at UFC 297 in January. Before Fight Week Eve Rolled in, Du Plessis made himself available during his pre-fight media availability. The then-middleweight title contender and the YouTuber took a photo that went immensely viral. It also surprised fans, breaking the perception of The MMA Guru’s physicality.
I’m a fan of his, obviously…I enjoy his stuff. Yeah, I’m a fan of MMA Guru…he calls out people and it’s really funny…When he walked into the gym, I could not believe my eyes…let me tell you this…The photo might be a little exaggerated…But make no mistake, the guy is at least [gestures[ this much taller…I, I honestly thought he was a short fat man…like he was gonna be a short fat person. When he walked into the gym, he is not fat. He’s in shape…he looks like an NBA player…
Dricus Du Plessis in an exculsive interview to FIGHTWAVE™️(Dan) (@fightwavee) / X
This was on home turf when the Team CIT Performance Institute middleweight attended to The MMA Guru in his gym. The 30-year-old is akin to lively viral moments. Like grazing himself shortly after winning the title, or singing One Republic’s hit single Counting Stars at South Africa’s version of The Masked Singer. But the moment with The MMA Guru was a pleasantly shocking reveal. The latter even reposted snippets on it.
UFC champion Dricus Du Plessis on The MMA Guru
“when he walked into the gym, I COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EYES, he looks like an NBA player”
I’m telling you this now, this guy is NOT losing a fight ever again & will retire as the combat GOAT, this DNA glazing will NOT go unnoticed😤 pic.twitter.com/1YDTGLMwbP
— THE MMA GURU (@THATBOYMMAGURU) June 12, 2024
At the moment, fans even touted Guru’s long-standing rivalry with notorieties like Michael Bisping, and how he’d dwarf the ‘Count.’ According to ‘Stilknocks,’ The MMA Guru is a few inches taller than the switch stance striker himself; leaner too than anticipated. Other than this, Du Plessis also told Fight Wave about his title defense schemes.
Hot Take: Robert Whittaker’s win over Khamzat Chimaev doesn’t warrant a title shot
That, in essence, is the “Dricus Du Plessis” take. Robert Whittaker faces boogeyman Khamzat Chimaev at UFC on ABC 6 on June 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The pivotal middleweight bout is expected to entail No. 1 contender implications for Du Plessis’ gold. ‘Stilknocks’ thinks that shouldn’t be the case.
Dricus Du Plessis weighs in on who deserves UFC title shot glory (Source: citizen.co.za/ UFC on TNT Sports/@ufcontnt – X)He’s respectable of ‘The Reaper.’ But having taken care of the former middleweight champion by TKO less than a year ago (UFC 290) he isn’t too giddy on Whittaker. Moreover, all signs point to Du Plessis (21-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) being interested in Chimaev as a title challenger.
Should he beat Whittaker, I would love to fight Khamzat…In my opinion, should Whittaker beat Khamzat, I don’t think it warrants him a title shot. Honestly, I would love to see him and Strickland fight it out for a No. 1 contender fight…
Dricus Du Plessis in an exculsive interview to FIGHTWAVE™️(Dan) (@fightwavee) / X
His choice resting on ‘Borz; does not come from some deep-seated admiration. Instead, he wants to derail the pseudo hype around the undefeated Chechen superstar. The South African took free jabs at Chimaev (13-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) during his slow-running exertion at UFC 294. He had taken on Kamaru Usman and over-exhausted himself in the very first frame. Ever since then, Du Plessis has been road-mapping a way to beat the boogeyman.
Currently, the South African is on the rumor mills to make a maiden defense against Israel Adesanya, potentially Aug. 17 at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia. The only champion from his corner of the world, Du Plessis says he is ready to fight for the mettle of the one “true African.”
