Dricus Du Plessis has major goals in the UFC, from winning another world title to earning the pound-for-pound number one spot.
The middleweight champion hasn’t lost inside the octagon yet, and rematches Sean Strickland on Saturday night in the main event of UFC 312. He has always been one of the most famously motivated individuals in the sport, but maintains a hunger through setting lofty goals beyond his world title wins.
One of these targets includes winning another world title up at light-heavyweight, where Alex Pereira currently rules. Another would see him become known as the greatest fighter in the world, which is a title Islam Makhachev currently holds as the officially ranked number one pound-for-pound in the UFC.
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Dricus Du Plessis details how he stays motivated ahead of UFC 312
In a recent interview with ESPN MMA, it was noted how being goal-oriented is a key factor in what has driven Dricus Du Plessis to the top of the UFC. He is not the most technically gifted fighter on the roster, but has overthrown the likes of Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker and Strickland with his intense style.
And he noted that those goals remain lofty, and are yet to be fully achieved despite his winning the belt and defending it against a legend last year. “Even before the UFC I believe you have an ultimate goal and that’s your driving factor,” he explained.
“Because if you set your goals to getting to the UFC or being UFC champion and you reach that, then what’s next. 2024 was a massive year for me but 2025 is going to be so much more, now the goal to be champion is won.
“There are many more to come. Defending this title, taking over the division and I’m still quite a bit away from actually dominating the division to a place where there is no competition left.”
Dricus Du Plessis wants to take Alex Pereira’s belt and Islam Makhachev’s UFC ranking
To solidify his legacy, Du Plessis is keen to win enough fights that he has wiped out the middleweight division. Then, he will head up to light-heavyweight where he will challenge for the title currently held by Alex Pereira, in the hopes of eventually taking Islam Makhachev’s pound-for-pound spot.
“I also want to go up and get another belt,” he continued. “And ultimately I want to be seen as the greatest fighter to ever walk this Earth. That is my ultimate goal and that is what keeps me going no matter what you achieve.
“That is a legacy that you build on throughout your whole career so that is my motivation and that’s what I’m chasing. I can’t wait for what 2025 holds.”
Dricus Du Plessis excited for ‘dog fight’ rematch with Sean Strickland
Even in his defeats, Dricus Du Plessis had been to the judges just one time prior to facing Sean Strickland in January of last year. But he admits that the American was ‘too good’ to be finished, and admits it will be a ‘dog fight’ in the rematch.
“It wasn’t for lack of trying,” he noted when asked why he couldn’t finish the former champion. “You could see that. I was throwing everything I had and he was just really good, I think the pace was so high in the fight.
“But I only started pushing the pace later in the fight whereas now I know that I can start pushing the pace from the word go. Defensively, Sean Strickland is one of the best fighters in the world, he’s really good at that and he’s really responsible with his defense.
“He prioritizes defense over offense so he doesn’t give you that opportunity. He’s willing to jab and teep his way to a decision victory and it’s up to you to go an make it a dog fight because other than that you aren’t going to just go and catch him clean.”
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