Dricus du Plessis: A Dominant Force in UFC
At 30 years old, South African native Dricus du Plessis has firmly established himself as a dominant presence in the UFC middleweight division. Recently crowned the UFC middleweight champion, du Plessis's path to the top has been marked by a series of impressive victories and steadfast resilience.
Climbing the Ranks
Du Plessis earned his title by narrowly defeating Sean Strickland via split decision at UFC 297 in January. This victory was one of many notable fights in his career, showcasing his ability to persevere in tightly contested bouts. His exceptional skills were further highlighted by stoppage victories over notable fighters such as Darren Till, Derek Brunson, and Robert Whittaker.
In August, du Plessis showcased his submission game by defeating Israel Adesanya with a face crank in the fourth round at UFC 305. This win not only extended his winning streak to five but also solidified his standing as a formidable opponent in the octagon. With six stoppage victories in his eight UFC fights, he has demonstrated both striking and grappling prowess, making him a well-rounded fighter hard to match.
Currently, du Plessis is ranked fifth in the men's pound-for-pound rankings, a testament to his skill, dedication, and consistent performance in the sport.
Notable Fighters Across Divisions
While du Plessis shines in the middleweight division, other fighters have made their mark in various weight classes. In the lightweight division, Islam Makhachev boasts an impressive record of 26-1. His most recent victory came against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302, further elevating his stature in the division.
In the heavyweight division, Jon Jones remains a dominant figure. With a record of 27-1 and one no contest, Jones was scheduled to defend his title against Stipe Miocic last November. Unfortunately, a pectoral tear sustained during training delayed this highly anticipated bout.
The light heavyweight division has witnessed Alex Pereira making significant strides. Pereira, with a record of 11-2, headlined UFC 300 in April, where he finished Jamahal Hill. Not stopping there, Pereira also knocked out Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303 in July, solidifying his reputation as a powerhouse.
Featherweight Highlights
The featherweight division is currently electrified by the undefeated Ilia Topuria, who holds a record of 15-0. Topuria's dominance was on display when he finished Alexander Volkanovski within the first two rounds at UFC 298 in February. He is now set to defend his title against the seasoned Max Holloway at UFC 308 in October. Holloway, with a record of 26-7, is on a three-fight win streak and, at 32 years old, aims to reclaim his stature in the division.
Welterweight to Bantamweight
Belal Muhammad's 11-fight unbeaten streak in the welterweight division, along with a record of 24-4 with one no contest, has positioned him as a top contender. Meanwhile, in the bantamweight division, Sean O'Malley reigns as the champion with a record of 17-1 and one no contest. O'Malley's victory over Marlon Vera at UFC 299 has further cemented his status among the elite.
Flyweight and Strawweight Champions
The flyweight division sees Alexandre Pantoja holding the title with a record of 28-5, alongside Alexa Grasso, who shares the spotlight with a record of 16-3-1. Grasso's title rematch with Valentina Shevchenko at Noche UFC ended in a split draw, leaving Shevchenko with a record of 23-4-1.
In the strawweight division, Zhang Weili stands as the champion with an excellent record of 25-3. Tatiana Suarez remains undefeated with a perfect 10-0 record, having recently submitted Jessica Andrade in August. Manon Fiorot, holding a 12-1 record, defeated Erin Blanchfield by a shutout decision, further stirring the competition within the division.