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

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Dricus Du Plessis Pays His Respects To Robert Whittaker Two Years After Fight That Put Him On The Map!

Dricus Du Plessis showcases respect to his former opponent Robert Whittaker 2 years after their epic battle!

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

Every fighter has that one moment when everything changes forever. For some, it happens early in their careers when they are still learning the ropes. For others, it comes after years of grinding through smaller fights and building their reputation slowly. But for Dricus Du Plessis, that career defining moment arrived at UFC 290 in July 2023. The South African middleweight had been making steady progress in the division, but he needed something special to announce himself as a real threat to the title picture. Standing across from him that night was Robert Whittaker, a former champion who had held the belt and defended it against the best fighters in the world.

Du Plessis carried an unusual fighting style that made many experts scratch their heads. His unorthodox approach didn’t look pretty or technically perfect like other elite middleweights. Critics questioned whether his wild swinging and awkward angles would work against to level competition. Whittaker represented the perfect test case. He was a proven champion with excellent defensive skills and fight IQ. If Du Plessis could handle ‘The Reaper,’ he would silence every doubter who questioned his championship potential. The knockout victory that followed changed everything for the South African fighter and launched him straight into title contention.

Dricus Du Plessis Shows Gratitude To Robert Whittaker

Two years after that night, Du Plessis took to Instagram to share his feelings about the victory. The current UFC middleweight champion didn’t celebrate by trash talking his former opponent or bragging about his success. Instead, he chose to honor Whittaker with heartfelt words that showed genuine respect and appreciation.

“2 years ago today I had the privilege to fight a hero of mine, this fight had so much more on the line than a ranking, this was the day I proved to myself and the world that I have what it takes to be the best in the world. Thank you for all the support over the years and thank you for the doubters too since you also play your part in making these victories so much sweeter”

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A post shared by Dricus du Plessis (@dricusduplessis)

Known for getting under opponents’ skin with his confident demeanor, the champion showed genuine vulnerability and gratitude. He thanked both his supporters and his doubters, acknowledging that criticism had pushed him to work harder. The tribute also credited his faith for guiding him through the journey. Most importantly, he called Whittaker an inspiration and role model, recognizing the Australian’s achievements and character. It’s rare to see such genuine emotion from a fighter who’s often portrayed as cocky or arrogant.

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

Dricus Du Plessis

Robert Whittaker

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!