Dricus Du Plessis is the reigning UFC middleweight champion. He recently became the first South African fighter to hold the UFC gold. Similarly, Conor McGregor became the first Irish fighter to win the UFC gold back in 2015. As such, Du Plessis couldn’t help but issue lavish praise on the Irish superstar for the path he created.
The South African fighter didn’t mince words when talking about Conor McGregor. The current state of MMA as a global phenomenon remains due to the cinematic rise of McGregor in the 2010s. The middleweight champion said that every fighter should be thankful to McGregor and what he did for the sport.
I don’t know him personally but meeting him, different person and even if you don’t like him, you can’t ever discredit what he’s done for this sport because every single fighter needs to thank him in my opinion for the raise in pay, the raise in awareness for this sport cuz I think Conor McGregor might be one of the most famous people on earth.
Dricus Du Plessis via The Sias du Plessis Show
McGregor’s persona and antics often court controversy. Dricus Du Plessis understood the Irishman’s impact on the popularity of MMA, especially UFC. Du Plessis believed that McGregor’s stardom led to a significant rise in fighter pay. Love him or hate him, the Irishman left an indelible mark on MMA. His brash personality and showmanship attracted countless new fans to the sport.
The middleweight champion’s remarks come just weeks before McGregor’s long-awaited return to the octagon. McGregor will face Michael Chandler at UFC 303 after a three-year hiatus due to a horrific leg injury. Fight fans are in anticipation of the return of the ‘Notorious’ in the octagon.
Dricus Du Plessis questions the delay in getting his first title defense
Dricus Du Plessis seems to be growing a tad impatient. The South African fighter is questioning the delay in announcing his first title defense. Du Plessis, known for his heavy hands claimed the middleweight belt earlier this year. He defeated Sean Strickland via a hard-fought split decision at UFC 297. The win extended his unbeaten streak in the UFC to seven fights.
Dricus Du Plessis waiting for his next fight (via EuroSport)Months have passed since the title win, and the UFC hasn’t officially announced his next opponent. Du Plessis claimed he’s already agreed to a date and opponent but is waiting for the promotion to finalize everything. Check out what he tweeted below:
I’ve agreed to the opponent and location so what are we waiting for ?
— Dricus Du Plessis (@dricusduplessis) May 20, 2024
Speculations about a blockbuster bout against former two-time middleweight king Israel Adesanya are rampant. The two have a history, having faced off in an intense staredown after Du Plessis stopped Robert Whittaker. While the wait continues, Du Plessis’ impatience is understandable. A fighter’s prime is fleeting, and every opportunity to defend a hard-earned title must be cherished.
