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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Dricus Du Plessis Applauds Tom Aspinall And Ilia Topuria For Their Dominance In The UFC

Dricus Du Plessis takes a moment to recognize two of the UFC’s fastest rising titleholders, praising their impact on the future of the sport!

The UFC has always been a place where legends are born, maybe even overnight. Sometimes, multiple future champions share the same stage before anyone realizes their true potential. Back in October 2020, UFC Fight Island became one of those special nights that fight fans would remember for years to come. Three relatively unknown fighters stepped into the octagon that evening, each carrying dreams of championship gold. Little did anyone know that all three would eventually become UFC champions.

That memorable Fight Island card featured debut performances and early career fights for three men who would later dominate their respective divisions. Dricus du Plessis made his UFC debut, Tom Aspinall fought for just the second time in the promotion, and Ilia Topuria also made his first appearance. Fast forward to 2025, and all three fighters have reached the pinnacle of MMA. Du Plessis now holds the middleweight title, Aspinall has become the undisputed heavyweight champion, and Topuria has made history by capturing titles in two different weight classes.

Dricus Du Plessis Sees Greatness In Tom Aspinall And Ilia Topuria

The South African champion has nothing but praise for both of his fellow titleholders. When discussing Tom Aspinall, Du Plessis didn’t hold back his admiration. He sees the British heavyweight as something special in a division that has traditionally been dominated by slower fighters. According to du Plessis, Aspinall moves like a middleweight despite his heavyweight frame, combining speed with technical skill in ways that few heavyweights have managed before.

“The first time you saw Tom Aspinall fight, you knew there was something special. He’s almost the next generation of heavyweight, in my opinion, where he moves like a middleweight. He’s light on his feet. He can grapple, he can strike, he can wrestle, so I’m really happy for him. I think he’s going to be a great champion. I don’t think there’s a lot of heavyweights on his level right now,” Du Plessis told Betway South Africa.

When it comes to Ilia Topuria, Du Plessis is equally impressed. The Georgian-Spanish fighter has achieved something unprecedented in UFC history by becoming the first unbeaten fighter to hold championships in two different weight classes. Topuria recently claimed the lightweight title with a spectacular knockout victory over Charles Oliveira, adding to his featherweight crown.

“We were on the same trajectory, winning our titles one month apart. I’m super happy for him. I think he’s one of those special characters who’s going to be a Hall of Famer, no doubt. He’s the first unbeaten guy to have two titles…I think he’s incredible and, in my opinion, one of the best, if not the best in the UFC right now.”

Dricus Du Plessis considers Topuria Hall of Fame material already. He praised his incredible striking power and his ability to defeat legendary opponents.

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

Dricus Du Plessis

Ilia Topuria

Tom Aspinall

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!