Dricus Du Plessis: A Fighter Who Won't Beg for His Shot

In the unpredictable and often unforgiving world of mixed martial arts, Dricus Du Plessis stands as a testament to a fighter's unwavering resolve. Despite a somewhat unjust turn of events following his impressive win over Robert Whittaker at UFC 290, Du Plessis remains steadfast in his pursuit of a title shot.

In July, Du Plessis showcased his skills by defeating Whittaker, keeping his UFC record unblemished at 6-0. Immediately after the fight, he had a face-off with then-middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, signaling his intent to challenge for the title. However, a broken foot forced him to decline a quick turnaround, and Sean Strickland ultimately secured the title shot instead, dethroning Adesanya to become the new champion.

Du Plessis' path to the title seemed momentarily blocked, with Khamzat Chimaev emerging as the next contender. Dana White even labeled Chimaev's recent fight against Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 as a No. 1 contender bout. Chimaev emerged victorious, and White reiterated his position as the next in line.

So, where does that leave Du Plessis? While it might be tempting to feel disheartened, the South African fighter refuses to be deterred.

He acknowledges the setbacks but refuses to be defined by them. Du Plessis understands that the fight game can be brutal and that decisions often lie beyond a fighter's control. He stated,

"It took me maybe a week or so to almost stop feeling sorry for myself like this is unfair. Life’s not fair, and the fight game is definitely not fair. I just said what I’ll do now is I’ll run over the whole division, I’ll run over the top five of this division, which will only make my move to light heavyweight quicker and easier. ... Right now I’m not going to beg for any title shot. I’ve never begged for anything, I’ve fought for it."

Du Plessis may have been unimpressed by Chimaev's victory over Usman, asserting that Chimaev is not the invincible "Boogeyman" many believed him to be. He does not dispute Chimaev's shot at the title and, instead, remains determined to make his mark in the middleweight division.

With his unbeaten UFC record and his unwavering commitment, Dricus Du Plessis serves as an embodiment of a true fighter's spirit. He may not beg for a title shot, but his actions within the octagon continue to speak volumes. In the unpredictable world of MMA, opportunities can arise when least expected, and Du Plessis is ready to seize his moment when it comes.