Dricus du Plessis once gave UFC president Dana White a public education years before becoming champion.
These days, Du Plessis is among the longest-reigning active UFC champs, having defended his middleweight gold successfully against both Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland since dethroning the latter 19 months ago in Canada.
The South African star is now set for his fourth consecutive main event and third defense, as Du Plessis faces the challenge of Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of the UFC 319 pay-per-view on August 19.
In the lead-up to the highly anticipated clash, there is little doubt about Du Plessis’ status as a lead attraction in Chicago. But just a few years ago, he was on the prelims of a major PPV, and having to teach his employer how to even say his name.
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Dricus du Plessis gave Dana White a lesson during post-fight interview at UFC 264
Among Du Plessis’ breakout performances on MMA’s biggest stage was his display at UFC 264 in July 2021. On the undercard of Conor McGregor’s trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier, ‘Stillknocks’ delivered one of the highlights of the night.
Nine months after his successful debut, Du Plessis starched Trevin Giles at UFC 264 to earn a ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus. When it came to the former KSW champion’s underrated skills, that result put the masses on notice.
Post-fight, though, the then-future middleweight king had a different type of education in mind…
“Just one thing, Joe Rogan. My name is Dricus du Plessis,” he said inside the Octagon.
“Where I’m from that’s not a very hard name, but I see people struggling (to pronounce my name). Mr. Bossman Dana (White) struggles to say Dricus du Plessis; a lot of people struggle.
“Dricus du Plessis, remember the name. It will be a household name in the top 10 very, very soon.”
For those still unsure four years later… DREE-kuhs du pless-SEE.
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Dricus du Plessis wants Dana White to grant his UFC dream
Given Du Plessis’ undefeated run and ongoing title reign in the years since that night in 2021, it is likely that Dana White has heard the South African’s name said enough to be well aware of the pronunciation.
But should the middleweight king get his wish, the UFC boss may need to work on a few other names from that region down the line.
Talk of the UFC’s debut event in Africa has continued to increase, especially after Du Plessis’ crowning as champ in early 2024. ‘Stillknocks’ has paused his pursuit of that for the time being to focus on beating Chimaev.
But if he gets through Saturday’s event with the title still in his possession, Du Plessis plans to push for White to grant his dream of a UFC South Africa card.
“The right people were speaking to each other,” Du Plessis told Scott Fontana for the New York Post. “I was involved in these conversations, (but) as soon as this fight was made, my attention shifted to this fight.
“I know the conversations are there between the UFC and South Africa, and the sports ministers, and the cities, and the arenas — everything is in conversation.
“But as an update on where we are, I don’t have anything,” Du Plessis added. “That is definitely something that I will get after as soon as I am done after this fight. … The UFC is now massive (in South Africa). The country is so behind the UFC and myself, behind me fighting.
“(I am) making sure the right people speak to the right people, almost introducing the right people to each other, making sure the people that need to make it happen speak to the right people who can make it happen. That is my role.”