Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) celebrates defeating Sean Strickland (red glove) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

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Dricus Du Plessis Brushes Off Haters; Credits Supporters As The Real Force Behind His Success

There are two battles that MMA fighters fight. One happens inside the octagon against their opponent. The other takes place in their own minds against doubt and criticism. Every fighter knows the sting of people saying they are not good enough. Some use that negativity as fuel to prove the doubters wrong. Others find a different path entirely.

Dricus Du Plessis belongs to the second group. The South African former UFC middleweight champion has built his career on something more powerful than anger or revenge. He draws his strength from the people who believe in him, not from those who tear him down. This approach might seem unusual in a sport known for trash talk and heated rivalries. But for Du Plessis, it has proven to be the secret weapon that carried him to the top of one of the most competitive divisions in the UFC.

Dricus Du Plessis Reveals His Motivation

Du Plessis has heard it all before. Critics told him he lacked the skills to make it in major promotions. They said his style was too crude for elite competition. Some even suggested he should stick to fighting in smaller venues back home in South Africa. If he had listened to these voices, he admits he might not even be competing in backyard fights today, let alone ever hold UFC gold. And these voices have increased since he lost the fight and title against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319.

The turning point came when Du Plessis realized something important about human nature. Negative people will always exist, no matter what you achieve. They feed on bringing others down to their level. Instead of wasting energy trying to silence these voices, he chose to amplify the positive ones. His family, coaches, training partners, and fans became his real source of motivation. These supporters saw potential when others saw problems. They offered encouragement when critics offered only criticism.

“I get so much love. But is also get those rotten apples always… It’s always gonna be there. It doesn’t fuel me. I fuel myself. I don’t thrive on proving people wrong, I only thrive on proving people right.” said Du Plessis via The Sias du Plessis Show

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This mindset shift transformed everything about how Dricus Du Plessis approached his career. Rather than entering fights angry and desperate to prove doubters wrong, he steps into the cage with genuine joy. He fought for the people who cheered him on during his darkest moments. This change in perspective didn’t just improve his mental health. It actually made him a better fighter. Relaxed fighters perform better than tense ones. Confident athletes take smarter risks than desperate ones!

(Image Credit: Dan Hamilton – Imagn Images)

Dricus Du Plessis

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!