Dricus du Plessis is the UFC Middleweight Champion for a reason — he is awkward, tough as nails, and more technically complete than his brawling style suggests. His Switch stance produces punch angles that don't line up with conventional defense, his chin absorbs shots that would stop most fighters, and underneath the bar-fight exterior is a legitimate wrestling and submission threat. He walks forward, cuts off the cage, and turns every fight into a war of attrition. You cannot out-tough him, and you cannot afford to get comfortable on the fence. The blueprint is movement, counters, and clinch discipline — but know that he will be coming forward for 25 minutes regardless of what you do.
Du Plessis is a pressure-heavy brawler with elite wrestling and a high-level submission game layered beneath his aggressive striking. He uses his Switch stance to confuse opponents and land unorthodox, looping punches from unpredictable angles. His style is defined by relentless forward pressure, a granite chin, and the ability to absorb damage while hunting for the finish.
Du Plessis captured the UFC Middleweight Championship by defeating Sean Strickland at UFC 297 via split decision in January 2024, then successfully defended the title against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in August 2024 via TKO in the fourth round. He has looked increasingly polished in his UFC run, combining physical toughness with smart wrestling to neutralize elite competition.
Du Plessis is one of the most dangerous champions in the division precisely because he is difficult to prepare for — his Switch stance, awkward punch angles, and seamless wrestling integration make him a nightmare stylistically. A fight plan against him must prioritize movement, lateral angles, and avoiding sustained pressure exchanges. The goal is to make him pay for walking forward and to avoid the fence at all costs.
Use lateral footwork and stay off the fence — never stand in front of him and trade. Jab to disrupt his pressure walk-down and circle to his lead side to disrupt the Switch stance transitions. Look for counter right hands when he loads the left overhand. Avoid extended exchanges in the pocket; land and move. Do not get drawn into trading on pure toughness.
Fight for underhooks immediately in the clinch to neutralize his takedown entries. He loves to drag opponents into wrestling from clinch positions — maintain a square base and look to create separation with short elbows and knees rather than allowing him to walk you to the fence. Be extremely wary of his grip — he transitions quickly to trips and throws.
If taken down, prioritize getting back to the feet immediately rather than playing guard — he is dangerous in top position and will work for D'Arce chokes and neck cranks in scrambles. Do not give him free scrambles. If on top, control tightly and avoid letting him get to his knees, as he recovers quickly and creates submission danger in transition.
⚠ The Sherdog URL provided in the raw data resolves to 'Thad Jean,' not Dricus du Plessis, indicating a data mismatch in the source. This scouting report has been compiled from verified general knowledge of Dricus du Plessis' professional MMA career through early 2025. Specific statistics such as exact finish percentages are approximated. Confirm all records and recent fight results against the latest official UFC and Sherdog databases before fight week.
AI-powered fight prep for serious fighters. Scout opponents, build training camps, plan weight cuts.
Free to try · No credit card required
Get AI breakdowns of the next big fight delivered to your inbox — free, weekly.