The UFC middleweight champion attempted to copy one of his biggest inspirations
In the main event of UFC 312 this weekend, Dricus du Plessis will look to defend the middleweight title for a second time.
The South African champion is set to return to the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia for a rematch with Sean Strickland who he beat for the title just over a year ago at UFC 297.
We saw in that first fight how the unique styles of both men match up with one another with the constant offense approach of the challenger getting the better of the more defensively minded champion on that night.
Du Plessis’ technique has been a big talking point throughout his UFC run with many fellow fighters criticizing him for not being the most skilled fighter.
Regardless of what people want to say about the way that he fights, it has led him to eight consecutive wins at the highest level of the sport.
- READ MORE: Sean Strickland breaks his silence as Israel Adesanya suffers yet another stoppage defeat
Dricus du Plessis says he tried and failed to emulate Anderson Silva
In a recent interview with Mark Bouris ahead of UFC 312, Dricus du Plessis spoke about some of the prominent fighters that inspired him earlier on in his career.
‘Stillknocks’ went on to talk about the likes of Conor McGregor with his approach that led to him becoming the biggest name in the sport and Mirko Cro Cop who he gravitated towards because of his K-1 kickboxing background.
Another name that du Plessis mentioned was Anderson Silva, the former UFC middleweight champion who defined the weight class with one of the most iconic title reigns of all time.
The South African even admitted that after watching ‘The Spider’ dispatch his opponents with ease, he tried to follow in his footsteps but found himself stumbling over them.
“Anderson Silva was the guy that,” du Plessis said.
The highlight reels, obviously you’ve seen me fight, it doesn’t look like Anderson Silva but I always tried… definitely failed. Definitely failed, like he just made it look like a video game so he’s one of the greats.”
- READ MORE: Alex Pereira ‘hates Dricus Du Plessis’ according to Sean Strickland ahead of UFC 312 cornering
Dricus du Plessis has developed his own unique style
Even if you just saw an outline of du Plessis competing inside the Octagon, a lot of fight fans would be able to identify the current middleweight champion.
Every competitor is going to have their influences but ‘Stillknocks’ is one of the best examples of a fighter in the sport today who is unique.
Whilst that has led to some criticism because his style is certainly unconventional, it also makes him incredibly difficult to prepare for.
Sean Strickland is a very defensive fighter but if du Plessis doesn’t even know what he’s going to throw at UFC 312 once the Octagon door closes, that only makes the challenger’s job even harder.