Dricus du Plessis
Dricus Du Plessis (born 14 January 1994) is a South African professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Middleweight division of EFC Africa, where he is the current Middleweight Champion. A professional since 2013, he has also fought for Polish-based promotion KSW. In addition to being a two-time Middleweight and former Welterweight EFC Champion, he is also a former KSW Welterweight Champion.
Dricus du Plessis | |
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![]() Dricus du Plessis after winning the KSW belt during KSW 43 | |
Born | [1] Hatfield, Pretoria, South Africa | 14 January 1994
Other names | Stillknocks |
Nationality | South African |
Height | 6 ft 0.9 in (1.85 m) |
Weight | 185.2 lb (84.0 kg; 13.23 st) |
Division | Middleweight Welterweight |
Reach | 75.98 in (193.0 cm)[2] |
Stance | Orthodox |
Fighting out of | Hatfield, Pretoria, South Africa |
Team | Team CIT MMA |
Years active | 2013-present |
Mixed martial arts record | |
Total | 16 |
Wins | 14 |
By knockout | 5 |
By submission | 9 |
Losses | 2 |
By knockout | 1 |
By submission | 1 |
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog |
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Du Plessis made his professional debut in 2013, amassing an undefeated 4–0 record before facing future UFC veteran and then-EFC Middleweight Champion Garreth McLellan at EFC Africa 33, losing via guillotine choke submission in the third round.[3]
In June 2015, Du Plessis made his Welterweight debut at EFC Africa 40 against Dino Bagattin, winning via a second-round rear-naked choke submission.[4] After going 3–0 in 2015, Du Plessis faced veteran striker Martin Van Staden at EFC 50 for the vacant EFC Welterweight Championship. Du Plessis won via guillotine choke submission in the third round.[5] Du Plessis was later set to defend his title against one of its former holders, Henry Fadipe. However, the bout was scrapped when Fadipe encountered issues with his visa.
Du Plessis returned to EFC in 2017, defeating Brazilian Mauricio Da Rocha Jr. in a Welterweight contest before facing Yannick Bahati at EFC Africa 62 for the Middleweight Championship. Du Plessis won guillotine choke at 1:30 of the first round, becoming a two-weight class Champion within the promotion.[6]
KSW
In 2018, Du Plessis was slated to face KSW Welterweight Champion Roberto Soldić for the KSW title at KSW 43 on April 14. In an upset, Du Plessis dethroned Soldic via TKO, after dropping him with a left hook.[7] The two would later rematch at KSW 45: Return to Wembley in the fall of that year, with Du Plessis being defeated via third-round knockout.[8]
Du Plessis fought again for KSW at KSW 50: London against Brazilian-German fighter Joilton Santos, winning via TKO.[9]
Return to EFC
After Brendan Lesar upset veteran Garreth McLellan for the EFC Interim Middleweight Championship at EFC Africa 80,[10] Du Plessis was next set to face Lesar for the title at EFC Africa 83. Du Plessis won via first-round guillotine choke submission.[11]
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown | ||
16 matches | 14 wins | 2 losses |
By knockout | 5 | 1 |
By submission | 9 | 1 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Win | 14-2 | Brendan Lesar | Submission (guillotine choke) | EFC Africa 83 | 14 December 2019 | 1 | 4:15 | Gauteng, South Africa | Won the EFC Middleweight Championship. |
Win | 13-2 | Joilton Santos | TKO (punches) | KSW: London | 14 September 2019 | 2 | 3:04 | London, England | Middleweight bout. |
Loss | 12–2 | Roberto Soldić | KO (punches) | KSW 45: Return to Wembley | 6 October 2018 | 3 | 2:33 | London, England | Lost the KSW Welterweight Championship. |
Win | 12-1 | Roberto Soldić | TKO (punches) | KSW 43: Soldic vs. Du Plessis | 14 April 2018 | 2 | 1:37 | Wroclaw, Poland | Won the KSW Welterweight Championship. |
Win | 11-1 | Yannick Bahati | Submission (guillotine choke) | EFC Africa 62 | 19 August 2017 | 1 | N/A | Gauteng, South Africa | Won the EFC Africa Middleweight Championship. |
Win | 10-1 | Mauricio Da Rocha Jr. | TKO (punches) | EFC Africa 59 | 13 May 2017 | 1 | 3:58 | Gauteng, South Africa | |
Win | 9-1 | Rafal Haratyk | Submission (guillotine choke) | EFC Africa 56 | 9 December 2016 | 2 | 3:34 | Gauteng, South Africa | Middleweight bout. |
Win | 8-1 | Martin Van Staden | Submission (guillotine choke) | EFC Africa 50 | 17 June 2016 | 3 | 3:59 | Gauteng, South Africa | Won the vacant EFC Welterweight Championship. |
Win | 7-1 | Bruno Mukulu | Submission (rear-naked choke) | EFC Africa 46 | 12 December 2015 | 2 | 2:50 | Gauteng, South Africa | Catchweight (176 lbs) bout. |
Win | 6–1 | Dino Bagattin | Submission (rear-naked choke) | EFC Africa 40 | 6 June 2015 | 2 | 3:33 | Gauteng, South Africa | Welterweight debut. |
Win | 5–1 | Darren Daniel | Submission (rear-naked choke) | EFC Africa 37 | 21 February 2015 | 1 | 4:50 | Gauteng, South Africa | |
Loss | 4–1 | Garreth McLellan | Submission (guillotine choke) | EFC Africa 33 | 30 August 2014 | 3 | 2:12 | Gauteng, South Africa | For the EFC Middleweight Championship. |
Win | 4-0 | Donavin Hawkey | TKO (punches) | EFC Africa 27 | 27 February 2014 | 1 | 4:50 | Gauteng, South Africa | |
Win | 3-0 | Barry Britz | TKO (punches) | EFC Africa 24 | 10 October 2013 | 3 | 1:54 | Gauteng, South Africa | |
Win | 2-0 | Bruno Mukulu | Submission (rear-naked choke) | EFC Africa 23 | 12 September 2013 | 1 | 2:34 | Gauteng, South Africa | |
Win | 1–0 | Tshikangu Makuebo | TKO (knee injury) | EFC Africa 21 | 25 July 2013 | 1 | 1:18 | Gauteng, South Africa |
References
- "Fightcenter: Dricus "Stillknocks" du Plessis. www.tapology.com". Retrieved 16 December 2019.
- "EFC Athletes Profile: Dricus "Stillknocks" du Plessis. www.efcworldwide.com/". Retrieved 16 December 2019.
- "EFC Africa 33 Results: McLellan Chokes Out Du Plessis to Retain Middleweight Title. www.combatpress.com". Retrieved 25 January 2020.
- "Extreme Fighting Championship (Africa) EFC Africa 40. www.sherdog.com". Retrieved 25 January 2020.
- "EFC 50 Results. www.lwmag.co.za". Retrieved 25 January 2020.
- "EFC 62 Results: History is Made. www.southafricanmma.com". Retrieved 25 January 2020.
- "KSW 43 results: Dricus Du Plessis stops Roberto Soldic to claim welterweight title. www.mmafighting.com". Retrieved 25 January 2020.
- "KSW 45 took place Saturday night, October 6 from The SSE Arena, Wembley in London, England. www.fight-madness.com". Retrieved 25 January 2020.
- "KSW 50: London Full Results. www.cagesidepress.com". Retrieved 25 January 2020.
- "Lesar Scores Major Upset At EFC 80. www.fightsports.tv". Retrieved 25 January 2020.
- "Du Plessis takes EFC 83. It was built up over an elongated two years. www.boksburgadvertiser.co.za". Retrieved 25 January 2020.