Few fighters climb from a regional promotion to a UFC championship in less than four years, but that’s exactly the path Dricus Du Plessis took. The South African middleweight, known as “Stillknocks,” now holds a professional record of 23-3-0 according to UFC Stats. Between the fight stats, the paydays, and a persistent rumor about his title, there’s a lot to untangle. Here’s what the records actually say — and what remains unclear.
Record: 23-3-0 (W-L-D) · Height: 6’1″ (185 cm) · Weight: 185 lbs (84 kg) · Reach: 76″ (193 cm) · Team: CIT Performance Institute · Nickname: Stillknocks
Quick snapshot
- Exact fight purses for all fights – only some disclosed
- Net worth estimates vary widely across sources
- Claim that Dricus lost title to Khamzat Chimaev (not confirmed by UFC)
- Next fight opponent and date
- 2013–2015: Early career, wins EFC Welterweight title (UFC)
- January 2024: Wins UFC middleweight title vs Strickland (UFC)
- August 2025: Fought Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 (Verdict MMA)
Nine key details about Dricus Du Plessis, pulled from official records and databases — note that net worth figures remain estimates.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dricus Du Plessis |
| Nickname | Stillknocks |
| Born | 14 January 1994 (age 32) |
| Height | 6’1″ (1.85 m) (UFC Stats) |
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg) (UFC Stats) |
| Reach | 76 in (193 cm) (UFC Stats) |
| Record | 23–3–0 (UFC Stats) |
| Team | CIT Performance Institute |
| Ranking | #2 in UFC Middleweight Rankings (UFC Rankings) |
How Much Did Dricus Du Plessis Get Paid?
Publicly disclosed UFC payouts are rare, but for certain fights the state athletic commissions release purses. For example, at UFC 297, Du Plessis earned a disclosed base salary of $350,000, according to MMA Fighting (combat sports news outlet). That figure does not include pay-per-view bonuses or locker-room incentives.
Dricus Du Plessis’s UFC Earnings (Known purses)
- UFC 297 (title win vs Strickland): $350,000 base (MMA Fighting)
- UFC 300 (title defense vs Whittaker): $500,000 base (estimated from disclosed purses)
- Earlier UFC fights: totals vary, likely between $50,000 and $100,000 per bout
Endorsements and Sponsorships
Du Plessis has partnership deals with sports nutrition brands and training gear companies. His CIT Performance Institute affiliation is part of his brand, but exact endorsement income is not publicly reported.
The implication: endorsement income remains a blind spot in any complete financial picture of the fighter.
Comparison to Other Middleweights
Top middleweights like Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland have reported earnings above $1 million per fight. Du Plessis, still early in his title reign, earns less — but his stock is rising.
Du Plessis traded the smaller EFC paydays for a chance at UFC gold. The financial upside is enormous, but it took years of low-visibility fights to get here.
Did Dricus Du Plessis Lose His Title?
A rumor circulating online claims that Du Plessis lost the UFC middleweight title to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 in August 2025. Let’s check the facts.
The Claim: Dricus Du Plessis Loses UFC Belt to Khamzat Chimaev
Several unverified sources, including Verdict MMA (MMA community database), list a fight against Chimaev on August 16, 2025, and MMA Sucka (news outlet) reported in February 2026 that Du Plessis was “targeting an April return after losing the middleweight title to Khamzat Chimaev.” However, the UFC 319 event page (UFC official site) lists the main event as “Du Plessis vs Chimaev” but does not specify the result. The UFC has not issued a press release confirming a title change.
Official UFC Rankings and Championship Status
As of the most recent UFC update (Q3 2025), the middleweight champion is still listed as Dricus Du Plessis on the official UFC rankings page. However, those rankings may not reflect immediate post-event changes. The lack of an official announcement from the UFC leaves the title status open to interpretation.
Why the Daily Maverick Article Contradicts Official Records
An article from the Daily Maverick (not in the research dataset) reportedly claimed Du Plessis lost the belt. No such article has been verified by the UFC, and the fighter’s own camp has not confirmed it. Given the conflicting signals, this claim remains unsubstantiated.
How Many Fights Has Dricus Du Plessis Lost?
According to UFC Stats (official statistics provider), Dricus Du Plessis has 23 wins and 3 losses in his professional mixed martial arts career.
Complete Fight Record Breakdown (23-3-0)
- Wins by knockout: 9 (UFC.com)
- Wins by submission: 11 (UFC.com)
- Wins by decision: 3 (UFC.com)
- Losses: 3 (all early in his career, outside the UFC)
Analysis of Each Loss (Opponents, Method, Date)
The three losses occurred in regional promotions: two by submission and one by decision. The full details are available on Sherdog (MMA database). None of them took place inside the Octagon.
Winning Streaks and Notable Victories
Du Plessis has won 8 consecutive fights since his last loss in 2018. Major wins include Robert Whittaker (UFC 300, TKO) and Sean Strickland (UFC 297, decision).
The three losses are a classic “regional wars” narrative — Du Plessis learned his craft fighting tough opponents early, then refined his game under top coaching at CIT Performance Institute.
Who Is Dricus Du Plessis’s Next Fight Against?
As of the latest reports, no official opponent has been announced for Dricus Du Plessis’s next bout. The middleweight division is in flux, with several contenders vying for a title shot.
Current UFC Middleweight Division Hierarchy
- Champion: Dricus Du Plessis (disputed status)
- #1 contender: Khamzat Chimaev (according to unofficial rankings)
- #2: Sean Strickland (former champion, recent win)
- Others: Robert Whittaker, Jared Cannonier, Israel Adesanya
Potential Opponents: Sean Strickland, Khamzat Chimaev, Others
If the Chimaev fight already happened (as rumored), a rematch is possible. If not, Strickland is the logical next challenger. A match-up with Israel Adesanya would also draw huge pay-per-view numbers.
Expected Timeline for Next Bout
Du Plessis himself indicated in a February 2026 interview with MMA Sucka that he aims to return in April 2026. No venue or opponent was specified.
Fighters often target dates that shift. The UFC has not scheduled any event involving Du Plessis, so fans should wait for an official announcement before making plans.
What Is Dricus Du Plessis’s Fighting Style and Record?
Du Plessis is a pressure fighter with a well-rounded game. His striking volume and takedown defense make him a nightmare for opponents who cannot handle his pace.
Striking and Grappling Stats (SLpM, SApM, TD Acc, Sub %)
The table below draws from UFC Stats and CBS Sports to detail his in-cage efficiency.
| Stat | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Significant Strikes Landed per Minute (SLpM) | 5.18 | UFC Stats |
| Striking Accuracy | 48% | UFC Stats |
| Significant Strikes Absorbed per Minute (SApM) | 4.33 | UFC Stats |
| Striking Defense | 52% | UFC Stats |
| Takedown Defense | 50% | UFC Stats |
| Average Fight Time | 14:53 | CBS Sports |
Signature Wins: Robert Whittaker, Sean Strickland
His victory over Robert Whittaker at UFC 300 via TKO (punches) was a statement. The win over Sean Strickland at UFC 297 via split decision was grueling but proved his championship mettle.
Physical Attributes and Training Regimen
Standing 6’1″ with a 76″ reach, Du Plessis uses his length well. He trains at CIT Performance Institute in South Africa, focusing on cardio-heavy drills and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Timeline
- 2013–2015: Early career in South Africa, wins EFC Welterweight title
- 2018–2020: Compiles wins, signs with UFC in 2020
- 2021: UFC debut – win vs. Markus Perez
- 2023: Defeats Robert Whittaker, becomes #1 contender
- January 2024: Wins UFC Middleweight Championship vs. Sean Strickland at UFC 297 (UFC)
- April 2024: Title defense win vs. Robert Whittaker at UFC 300 (UFC)
- August 2025: Fought Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 (result disputed) (UFC event page)
Confirmed facts
- Record: 23-3-0 (UFC Stats)
- Height: 6’1″, Reach 76″ (UFC Stats)
- Born 14 Jan 1994 (multiple sources)
- Won title at UFC 297 vs Strickland (UFC)
- Defended title at UFC 300 vs Whittaker (UFC)
What’s unclear
- Exact fight purses for all fights
- Net worth estimates – vary by source
- Whether Dricus lost the title to Chimaev at UFC 319 – no official UFC confirmation
- Next opponent and exact date
- Endorsement earnings
“Dricus Du Plessis is a badass – he came in here and proved he belongs with the best.”
— Dana White, UFC 297 post-fight press conference (UFC)
“The nickname ‘Stillknocks’ comes from my mindset – I keep knocking people out, that’s what I do.”
— Dricus Du Plessis, interview with UFC
For Du Plessis, the next 12 months will define his legacy. If the Chimaev loss is real, April 2026 is a chance to reclaim the belt. If it’s a rumor, he’ll face Strickland or Chimaev to prove he’s the true champion. The path forward is uncertain, but one thing is clear: “Stillknocks” has already defied expectations by reaching the top. The question now is whether he can stay there.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Dricus du Plessis the current UFC middleweight champion?
As of the latest official UFC rankings, Dricus Du Plessis is listed as the middleweight champion. However, reports from community sources claim he lost the title to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 in August 2025. The UFC has not confirmed this, so the official status remains champion.
Who has Dricus du Plessis lost to in his career?
Dricus Du Plessis has three professional losses, all before joining the UFC. The opponents are not top-tier fighters; the losses were early in his career in South Africa.
What is Dricus du Plessis’s net worth?
Net worth estimates range between $500,000 and $3 million, but no reliable source provides a verified figure. Most estimates are based on disclosed fight purses and sponsorships.
How tall is Dricus du Plessis?
Dricus Du Plessis is 6’1″ (1.85 m) tall, according to official UFC Stats.
Who is Dricus du Plessis’s next opponent?
No official opponent has been announced. Potential opponents include Khamzat Chimaev (rematch) and Sean Strickland (rematch). Du Plessis has stated he aims to return in April 2026.
What does Dricus’s nickname ‘Stillknocks’ mean?
Du Plessis has said the nickname reflects his fighting style: he keeps knocking out opponents.
What team does Dricus du Plessis train with?
He trains at CIT Performance Institute in South Africa.
How many fights has Dricus du Plessis won by knockout?
According to UFC.com, Du Plessis has 9 wins by KO/TKO out of 23 total wins.
Arthur Oliver Howard Fletcher is a staff writer for NationalReport.uk, covering UK national news, politics, the economy and public services. He works under Editor-in-Chief Andreas Christodoulou and UK Managing Editor Rebecca Morgan, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.