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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Former Middleweight Champion Backs Dricus Du Plessis’ Toughness Ahead Of Sean Strickland Rematch

A former Middleweight Champion stands behind Dricus Du Plessis, highlighting his toughness as he prepares for a rematch with Sean Strickland!

Few things carry more weight in the sports world than praise from a former champion. Luke Rockhold, who held the UFC middleweight crown back in 2015 after dethroning Chris Weidman, knows a thing or two about what it takes to reach the top. He has seen countless fighters come and go, each claiming to have that special something.

However, when Rockhold spoke about Dricus Du Plessis’s drive and determination, it hit different.There was a time when Rockhold himself was known for his relentless pace and iron will. Well, game recognizes game!

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Luke Rockhold Comments On Dricus Du Plessis

The timing of Luke Rockhold’s comments couldn’t be more relevant as it is coming hot on the heels of DDP’s rematch against Sean Strickland at UFC 312. At UFC 305 against Israel Adesana, fans saw how ‘Stillknocks’ refused to break under Adesanya’s precise striking, showing the kind of grit that makes champions.

Rockhold, who’s never been one to sugarcoat his opinions, pointed out that Du Plessis’s mental toughness sets him apart from the pack. He revealed his sparring sessions with the South African back in the day and was amazed at his ability to keep going despite unfavourable odds. It’s like that old saying about separating the contenders from the pretenders – except Du Plessis has already proven he belongs at the top.

“He was so tough. I would spar with him and train with him and he didn’t want to quit…He is just a focused, driven dude. Steady. You gotta appreciate that,” said Rockhold via Submission Radio.

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The South African champion’s journey has been anything but conventional. Before stepping into the UFC octagon, he was grinding it out in EFC (Extreme Fighting Championship), where he was the middleweight champion and KSW (Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki), building a reputation as a guy who simply wouldn’t quit.

Dricus Du Plessis brings the same never-say-die attitude to every fight, whether he’s fresh or gasping for air. It is this mindset that carried him through five brutal rounds with Sean Strickland to claim the belt. Later, it helped him weather the storm against Adesanya, finally submitting the two time champion.

Looking ahead to the Strickland rematch at UFC 312, Rockhold’s endorsement carries extra weight. The former champ has been in wars with some of the division’s best – from Michael Bisping to Yoel Romero. When he says Dricus Du Plessis has something special, it’s worth paying attention.

And Du Plessis’ odd striking (despite the memes) has made him an unorthodox opponent. His style is something that is hard to replicate in training!

(Image Credit: Dan Hamilton – Imagn Images)

Dricus Du Plessis

Luke Rockhold

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!