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Dricus Du Plessis Reflects on the Toughest Test of His UFC Championship Reign

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Ameetosh Dash | Last updated Aug 5, 2025 9:42 AM ET

Over the past few years, Dricus Du Plessis has earned a reputation as one of UFC’s most entertaining and explosive fighters. The current middleweight champion has already defended his title twice, delivering powerful and dominant performances against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 and Sean Strickland at UFC 312. And at UFC 319, Du Plessis is set to face Khamzat Chimaev, a dangerous top contender, in a thrilling matchup.

The South African is currently undefeated inside the Octagon, constantly surprising fans and analysts with his unpredictable and unorthodox approach. In a recent interview, the 185lbs kingpin champion was asked to reveal who he considers his toughest opponent so far in the UFC.

I have to say Adesanya was the best guy I faced. Probably the fight I was most nervous for. He can catch you with anything, anytime. All the time I spent looking up to him and studying him, because he was the benchmark. Knowing what he’s capable of, I think he’s the best guy I have faced. It was one hell of a fight, it was a tough night at the office.
Dricus Du Plessis via betway

Du Plessis shared an intense rivalry with Adesanya, as both of them claimed the title of the true African UFC champion. Tensions built as both fighters traded words, igniting a fierce feud that captured the attention of the entire MMA world. Moreover, DDP even made Izzy during a presser leading up to their title fight. Their heated buildup led to a massive showdown at UFC 305, marking Du Plessis’ first official title defense as the middleweight champion.

Dricus Du Plessis names Israel Adesanya as the best opponent he’s ever faced

"I have to say Adesanya was the best guy I faced. Probably the fight I was most nervous for. He can catch you with anything, anytime. All the time I spent looking up to him and studying him,… pic.twitter.com/or2igHImyC
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) August 5, 2025

The fight was highly anticipated, with fans expecting a brutal stand-up war between two of the division’s top striking specialists. However, DDP shocked everyone by mixing his grappling, eventually overpowering Izzy with relentless pressure and smart ground control. In the fourth round, the South African secured a tight rear-naked choke, forcing Adesanya to tap and lose by submission.

After their intense battle, Du Plessis and Adesanya squashed their beef, embracing with mutual respect and admiration. Since that loss, the ‘Last Stylebender’ suffered another defeat against top contender Nassourdine Imavov, shaking fan confidence in his comeback. Meanwhile, Du Plessis continues to grow as a champion, with fans believing he has a long UFC journey ahead.

Khabib Nurmagomedov weighs in on Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev UFC 319 title fight

After two dominant title defenses, Dricus Du Plessis publicly expressed his desire to face the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev next. Following Chimaev’s impressive victory over former champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 308, the UFC officially announced a thrilling title clash between him and Du Plessis. The announcement ignited a fiery buildup, with both fighters engaging in relentless trash talk, fueling excitement and tension among MMA fans globally.

Recently, ‘Borz’ mocked DDP’s resume, claiming he hadn’t beaten any real killers, while Dricus Du Plessis questioned Chimaev’s cardio and durability in five-round wars. The intense psychological warfare and social media exchanges have made this title a must-watch for fight fans. Recently, former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov talked about the upcoming title fight and shared his opinion.

Dricus is an interesting opponent. He’s very tough, he’s gonna scrap. He’s not very accurate, but throws a lot…I personally would advise Khamzat to strike with him. If you put them in straight boxing, Khamzat is better. You can try to force things early in the first two rounds, but if you don’t finish him, you’ll burn a lot of energy. Khamzat hasn’t been in a championship round. On the other hand, that guy [Dricus] — he’s got real experience.
Khabib Nurmagomedov via Adam Zubayraev

Khabib breaks down Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev — and shares some advice for Khamzat.

"Dricus is an interesting opponent. He’s very tough, he’s gonna scrap. He’s not very accurate, but throws a lot. He’s always throwing hands and legs constantly. He throws a ton of… pic.twitter.com/2klt1jPgGI
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) July 22, 2025

Dricus Du Plessis is known for his unorthodox fighting style, which often frustrates opponents and creates unpredictable fight scenarios. If the fight reaches the later rounds, DDP’s superior conditioning and resilience could give him a major strategic advantage. However, Chimaev possesses explosive strength and grappling, allowing him to overwhelm early and potentially secure a quick submission victory.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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