Middleweight#1 RankedACTIVE
Dricus Du Plessis
23-3
Age
31
Height
6'1"
Weight
185 lbs
Reach
76"
Avg Fight Time
14:53
Gym
CIT MMA
UFC Record
9-1(10 bouts)
Wins By
4 KO 2 Sub 3 Dec
Losses By
0 KO 0 Sub 1 Dec
Wins by Rd
R1 1R2 3R3 2R4 1R5 2
Last 5
WLWWW
Finish Rate
87%
Bonuses
4
Style
MMA
Location
Welkom, South Africa
Last Fight2025-08-16
KC
L - Khamzat Chimaev
KO/TKOR1 3:22
Punch to Head At Distance
Opponent Last Bout
W - Dricus Du PlessisKO/TKOR1 0:17· Punch to Head At Distance
Fight History
WIN
MP
vs Markus Perez
UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen· 2025-09-27
KO/TKO
Punch to Head At Distance
R1 3:22
KO/TKOPunch to Head At Distance·R1 3:22
LOSS
KC
vs Khamzat Chimaev
UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev· 2025-08-16
Decision - Unanimous
R5 5:00
Decision - Unanimous·R5 5:00
WIN
SS
vs Sean Strickland
UFC 312: Du Plessis vs. Strickland 2· 2025-02-08
Decision - Unanimous
R5 5:00
Decision - Unanimous·R5 5:00
WIN
IA
vs Israel Adesanya
UFC 305: Du Plessis vs. Adesanya· 2024-08-17
Submission
Rear Naked Choke
R4 3:38
SubmissionRear Naked Choke·R4 3:38
WIN
SS
vs Sean Strickland
UFC 297: Strickland vs. Du Plessis· 2024-01-20
Decision - Split
R5 5:00
Decision - Split·R5 5:00
WIN
RW
vs Robert Whittaker
UFC 290: Volkanovski vs. Rodriguez· 2023-07-08
KO/TKO
Punches to Head At Distance
R2 2:23
KO/TKOPunches to Head At Distance·R2 2:23
WIN
DB
vs Derek Brunson
UFC 285: Jones vs. Gane· 2023-03-04
KO/TKO
Punches to Head From Guard Corner Stoppage
R2 4:59
KO/TKOPunches to Head From Guard Corner Stoppage·R2 4:59
WIN
DT
vs Darren Till
UFC 282: Blachowicz vs. Ankalaev· 2022-12-10
Submission
Neck Crank From Back Control
R3 2:43
SubmissionNeck Crank From Back Control·R3 2:43
WIN
BT
vs Brad Tavares
UFC 276: Adesanya vs. Cannonier· 2022-07-02
Decision - Unanimous
R3 5:00
Decision - Unanimous·R3 5:00
WIN
TG
vs Trevin Giles
UFC 264: Poirier vs. McGregor 3· 2021-07-10
KO/TKO
Punch to Head At Distance
R2 1:41
KO/TKOPunch to Head At Distance·R2 1:41
Fighter Archetype
Technical Striker
Counter Striker
Why This Archetype
This fighter displays a unique approach that transcends traditional archetypes.
Striking
5.2/min
Grappling
2.22 TD
Defense
53%
⚖️Dricus adapts strategy based on opponent — no predictable tendencies
🧬Competent across all ranges — 49% striking and 51% TD accuracy
📊Balanced approach can be difficult to game-plan against
Technique DNA
Striking Foundation
32 rounds of fight film analyzed
🎯
Signature Technique
Leg Kicks
Core of offensive identity
Dominant Level+68% vs div avg
69%
Of striking volume
Mastery Progress
Primary Arsenal
High Importance
Knees
59%of arsenal
0%100%
Medium Importance
Jabs
53%of arsenal
0%100%
Supporting Techniques
🤼Clinch
Elbows
53%
🥊Head/Hand
Head Kicks
50%
⭐Other
Counters
38%
Common Combinations
Distance → Clinch
4× detected
Clinch → Takedown
4× detected
Patterns detected from round-by-round fight data
Striking Pattern Analysis
- ◆Signature technique: Heavy reliance on Leg Kicks (69%). Opponents must prepare specifically for this threat.
- ▲Technical diversity: Multiple techniques used at similar rates - adapts based on situations.
- ●Comprehensive striker: Uses head strikes, leg kicks, and varied attacks across distance.
- ■Two-pillar system: Top 2 techniques account for majority (128%) of offensive output.
- ◇Focused arsenal: Top 5 techniques comprise 284% of offense - limited but refined.
- ▶Mixed martial artist: Uses both takedown techniques and submissions in the striking phase.
- ★Adaptive tempo: Switches between pressure and counter-fighting mid-round.
Finish Techniques
Striking Finishes
4
67% of career finishes
Submission Finishes
2
33% of career finishes
⚡ Knockout Arsenal (3 techniques)
Punch to Head At Distance
#12
50% of KOs
Punches to Head At Distance
#21
25% of KOs
Punches to Head From Guard
Corner Stoppage
#31
25% of KOs
🔒 Submission Arsenal (2 techniques, 2 total finishes)
From Back Control
Neck Crank From Back Control
#11
50% of subs
Rear Naked Choke
#21
50% of subs
Finish Pattern Analysis
- ⚡⚔️ Balanced finisher: 67% KO/TKO, 33% submissions. Equally lethal on feet and ground.
- 🎯🎯 Signature KO: Punch to Head At Distance (2x, 50% of KOs). Opponents specifically game-plan for this threat.
- 🔒🔐 Dual submission threat: Alternates between Neck Crank From Back Control and Rear Naked Choke. Keeps opponents guessing.
- 🎪📊 Style profile: Striking-heavy approach with submission upside. Prefers to end fights on feet.
Fighter Skills Radar
Key Insights
⚔️
All-around threat: Elite on both feet and mat. Adapts to any opponent's style.💪
Peak strengths: Strikes/Min (5.2) and Strike Def% (53%).⚠️
Vulnerability: Sub/15min is below average (28/100). Opponents exploit this.🔥
Finisher: 87% of wins end in finish (9 KO + 11 subs).📈
Pace builder: Output increases in later rounds (131% in R3). Outworks opponents.Striking Profile
Striking Accuracy
49%
Average
Division Rank#30 of 46
0%100%
Striking Defense
53%
Average
Division Rank#20 of 46
0%100%
Range Breakdown
Distance
45% acc83%
Clinch
76% acc8%
Ground
61% acc10%
Striking Differential+0.85/min
5.18 landed/min4.33 absorbed/min
5.18
Landed/Min
4.33
Absorbed/Min
0.40
KD Avg
0
1st Rd Finishes
Sig. Strikes Landed770
Sig. Strikes Attempted1578
Key Insights
Dricus is a distance-first striker, with 82% of output at range.
Uses leg kicks strategically (23%).
Utilizes an effective jab.
Distance-dominant: 83% of output at range with 45% accuracy.
Iron chin: exceptional durability under fire.
Elite KD exchange: deals 8.0x more knockdowns than absorbed.
Grappling Profile
TD Accuracy
51%
Average
Division Rank#10 of 46
0%100%
TD Defense
35%
Below Avg
Division Rank#43 of 46
0%100%
TD Success Rate
5%
Landed
2
Defended
41
Total
43
2.22
TD / 15min
0.71
Sub / 15min
2
TD Landed
43
TD Attempted
Extended Grappling
Clinch Takedowns
44
Landed
86
Attempted
51%
Accuracy
Submission Timing
7 total attempts
Opportunistic
R1
29%
R2
29%
R3
14%
Key Insights
Moderate TD threat at 2.22/15min.
TD defense at 35% could be a vulnerability.
11 career submission wins.
Submission timing: "Opportunistic" — consistent threat.
Offensive vs Defensive Balance
Damage Exchange
Offensive dominance vs damage absorbed per fight
Dealt
1,540
1.30
Ratio
Absorbed
1,186
Chin Rating
IronKD Exchange
8/0
KD Recovery
Never Dropped
Pace & Momentum
Fight pacing and round-over-round performance trends
Engagement Score
35.4
High
Strikes/Min
5.5
Standing %
89%
R3 vs R1 Output
131%
Key Insights
🥊 Iron chin - rarely compromised by strikes.
🎯 Effective knockdown technician - deals significantly more than absorbs.
⚙️ High engagement score (35.4) - maintains relentless pace.
📈 Improves dramatically in late rounds - R3 output 131% of R1.
Round-by-Round Profile
Career average across 10 fights
R1 Control
0:55
R2 Control
0:39
R3 Control
0:03
R1 to Final
+38%
In-Fight Adaptation
Detected across career, comparing R1 vs R3+ patterns
Keeps distance in R3, avoids grappling when fatigued.
Target Selection Evolution
Head
+3.0pp
Body
+4.5pp
Leg
-7.4pp
Range Preference Evolution
Ground Shift
-21.5pp
Round Patterns
⬆️ Improves with fight duration – strong finishing power
🔄 Low control time – movement-focused fighter
Championship Rounds
Based on 4 five-round fights
Rounds 1-3 Avg
24.5
sig strikes / round
Rounds 4-5 Avg
22.4
sig strikes / round
Output Change
91%
R4-5 vs R1-3
Maintains Output
Competitive Profile
Division Rankings
Performance metrics ranked within division
Volume
#10
of 46
🥇 Top 25%
Absorption
#33
of 46
🥉 Mid-range
Accuracy
#30
of 46
🥉 Mid-range
Str Defense
#20
of 46
🥈 Top 50%
Knockdowns
#20
of 46
🥈 Top 50%
Takedowns
#11
of 46
🥇 Top 25%
Submissions
#21
of 46
🥈 Top 50%
Damage Ratio
#21
of 46
🥈 Top 50%
Strength of Schedule
Opponent quality and career progression
Avg Opponent ELO
3205
ChampionshipCareer-wide opponent strength
Elite Wins (ELO 3000+)
8
/ 10
80% Win Rate
Conclusions Summary
Fighter characteristics, strengths, patterns, and competitive insights