Jul 8, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) reacts after defeating Robert Whittaker (red gloves) during UFC 290 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

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UFC Analysis: Is Dricus Du Plessis the most underrated ‘Trash Talker’ In The UFC?

Dricus Du Plessis masterfully blends confidence and fiery mind games, making him the UFC's most underrated trash talker!

When fight fans think of great UFC trash talkers, names like Conor McGregor and Chael Sonnen usually pop up. But quietly, almost sneakily, Dricus Du Plessis has been crafting some of the most clever comebacks in the fight game.

The South African champion doesn’t just throw wild insults or talk loudly to prove his point. He is more of a sniper, waiting for the perfect moment to strike with razor-sharp wit!

DDP surely knows how to get under his opponents’ skin. Here are some examples of his witty trash talk that establish the current middleweight champ as the ‘most underrated trash talker.’

UFC 2024 Seasonal Press Conference With Sean Strickland

Dricus Du Plessis’ verbal sparring with Sean Strickland shows another side of his trash-talking arsenal. He didn’t yell or interrupt the loud and brash American. Instead, he zeroed in on his past, striking exactly where it hurt Strickland.

The South African went for the jugular and reminded Strickland of his childhood and the beating his father used to dish out on him. This definitely got under ‘Tarzan’s’ skin, and he threatened to kill Du Plessis if he continued to do so. Now, that is some serious trash talk!

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UFC 305 Press Conference with Israel Adesanya

The heated exchange between Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya took an emotional turn. When Adesanya shared his plans to celebrate with a victory tour through Nigeria, South Africa, and New Zealand, Du Plessis struck a nerve with a pointed comment about “servants.“

The remark hit home for Adesanya, who broke down while explaining how deeply he fights for his family. Through tears, he showed that even the toughest fighters have hearts, reminding everyone that being emotional doesn’t make you weak.

Dricus🇿🇦 made Adesanya🇳🇬 cry at the press conference ahead of their fight pic.twitter.com/MFFPEajTxj
— 𝗢𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀𝗲 𝗠𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗲 🔥🚀 (@unclescrooch) August 16, 2024

Dricus Du Plessis’s comment crossed a line for some, touching on sensitive historical and cultural issues. While trash talk is part of fight promotion, this exchange showed how words can cut deeper than any punch. And his words definitely did that!

Dricus Du Plessis’ Remarks On Khamzat Chimaev’s Physique

When Khamzat Chimaev tried to flex his trash-talking muscles by calling Dricus Du Plessis a “bad version” of himself, he probably didn’t expect such a precise counter-punch. Du Plessis, known for his sharp wit as much as his fighting skills, landed a perfect verbal jab about Chimaev’s notorious health issues.

“Put on a shirt princess before you catch another cold,” Dricus Du Plessis quipped, referencing Chimaev’s history of fight withdrawals due to illness. The dig was particularly spicy, given Chimaev’s shirtless pic on his social media post.

Dricus du Plessis responds to Khamzat Chimaev after he said Dricus was "a bad version of me":

"Put on a shirt princess before you catch another cold." 😳🍿#UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/r4ggliNbvj
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) September 18, 2024

While Chimaev keeps claiming he’d dominate DDP with his wrestling, the champ seems more interested in poking fun at Borz’s spotty attendance record than engaging in technical debates.

As he prepares for his upcoming title defense against Sean Strickland at UFC 312, Du Plessis continues to show why he’s one of the most underappreciated wordsmiths in MMA. He might not make headlines with every comment, but people increasingly pay attention when he speaks. And in a sport where trash talk often feels forced or repetitive, Dricus Du Plessis brings a refreshing mix of wit, timing, and authenticity!

(Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – Imagn Images)

Dricus Du Plessis

Israel Adesanya

Khamzat Chiamev

Sean Strickland

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!