Who is Dricus Du Plessis? Meet the UFC brawler putting South Africa on the MMA map

From his record and background to his path to UFC championship glory, here is everything MMA fans need to know about Dricus Du Plessis.

Described by many to be one of the ‘new generation’ of MMA talent who has burst onto the UFC scene in recent times, it took the South African brawler just four short years to reach the pinnacle of the promotion.

While he may have lost the UFC Middleweight belt, “Stillknocks” still has a lot to give in the UFC.

Here’s all you need to know about Dricus Du Plessis.

• READ MORE – Dricus Du Plessis backed to ‘shut mouth’ of doubters in UFC 319 Khamzat Chimaev showdown

Dricus Du Plessis’ age

Dricus Du Plessis was born on January 14, 1994, in Welkom, Orange Free State, South Africa.

As of September 2025, he is 31 years old.

Dricus Du Plessis’ height, weight, and reach

According to Tapology, Dricus Du Plessis stands 6’1″ tall with a 76″ reach.

Despite currently being the middleweight world champion, Du Plessis spent much of his early career at welterweight and even held the 170lb title in the KSW promotion prior to his move to the UFC.

Dricus Du Plessis’ girlfriend and marriage proposal

Dricus Du Plessis’ partner is called Vasti Spiller, and she reportedly works as a boxing coach at CIT Boxing Studio in South Africa while simultaneously running a photography business called Baruch Photography – she is also a brand ambassador for a philanthropic organization called ‘B Loved Foundation’.

While ‘Stillknocks’ is currently unmarried, he visited Paris in 2023 to attend the Rugby World Cup and was jokingly ‘proposed’ to by one of his close friends, pictured together in front of the Eiffel Tower.

X/Twitter and Instagram accounts

Dricus Du Plessis has 685k followers on Instagram and often posts pictures of himself in training or of his dog. You can follow him @dricusduplessis.

He also has an X, formerly Twitter, account with 104k followers @dricusduplessis.

Dricus Du Plessis’ MMA record

Career stats

Dricus Du Plessis’ net worth

According to Sportskeeda, Du Plessis’ net worth sits between $1 million and $3 million.

He has also earned himself an extra $200,000 in post-fight bonuses: Two Performance of the Nights and two Fight of the Nights, respectively.

Dricus Du Plessis’ next fight

Du Plessis’ next fight has not been revealed, as it is just weeks since he lost his UFC Middleweight belt to Khamzat Chimaev.

Dricus Du Plessis vs Israel Adesanya

Dricus Du Plessis’ first defense of his UFC middleweight title took place in the main event of UFC 305 against former champion Israel Adesanya, on August 17 at the RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia.

After an incredibly tense build-up, DDP held his own on the feet throughout the opening rounds with his unorthodox striking style proving to be too difficult a puzzle for the iconic Stylebender – Dricus Du Plessis ultimately retained his title via a fourth-round submission.

• Who is Israel Adesanya? Step inside the career of the ‘Last Stylebender’ ahead of his UFC Saudi Arabia main event

Dricus Du Plessis and his coach

Dricus Du Plessis trains at Team CIT in South Africa under the tutelage of veteran trainers Morne Visser and Niel Geyser.

‘Stillknocks’ is incredibly close with his team, who have supported him throughout his journey from KSW all the way to the big leagues – following his hand being raised, Du Plessis and his team often share a kiss as a sign of their companionship, and it is entirely platonic.

Du Plessis vs Sean Strickland 1

Dricus Du Plessis was able to wrestle away the middleweight title from Sean Strickland in early 2024 in a fantastic back-and-forth brawl; a unanimous decision win for the South African.

While the 25-minute war ended with the South African having the title wrapped around his waist, the brash American still holds out that it was he who earned the victory and that the judges stole the belt under dubious circumstances.

Du Plessis vs Sean Strickland 2

After his impressive title win, Du Plessis took on Strickland in a long-awaited rematch a year later in his second UFC title defense.

The South African was more dominant in this Southern Hemisphere clash, earning a unanimous decision victory over his American opponent, whom he had been savage to in the pre-fight press conferences

Du Plessis vs Robert Whittaker

One of the biggest shock results of 2023, not only did Dricus Du Plessis batter the former middleweight champion from pillar to post, but he then turned up the heat in the second round to deliver a brutal power jab, knocking ‘The Reaper’ to the ground as he followed up with ground-and-pound to earn the TKO win.

Du Plessis vs Derek Brunson

While prior wins over Brad Tavares and Darren Till put Du Plessis on the map, his 2023 clash with Derek Brunson can be considered his ‘coming out party’.

After a back-and-forth opening round, Du Plessis would rock and drop Brunson on multiple occasions as the American’s gas tank failed him – the beating was so bad that Brunson’s corner would throw in the towel at the end of the second round.

Dricus Du Plessis’ brothers

Dricus Du Plessis’ older brother is called Niel, and he is also an MMA fighter at Team CIT in South Africa with a 3-2 record; however, he hasn’t competed since 2020 at EFC Worldwide 84.

Dricus told EFC Worldwide ahead of his brother’s debut in 2016: “I’m super proud to have my brother Niel following in my footsteps.

“On 17 June, not only am I going to make history by becoming the youngest EFC champion in history by defeating Martin, but Niel will also make a massive impact in his division and defeat Martin’s teammate, Pupanga.”

Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev

Du Plessis lost his UFC Middleweight title to Khamzat Chimaev in a poorly-regarded fight at UFC 319.

The bout was a dull affair, with Chimaev controlling the fight and not allowing du Plessis to get off any of his usual, unconventional offense.

The bout went all five rounds with little highlights to speak of, but Chimaev’s control meant he became the new UFC Middleweight champion.