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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MMA Analyst Praises Dricus Du Plessis’ Championship Mettle After UFC 312

MMA analyst hails Dricus Du Plessis’ championship mentality after his impressive performance at UFC 312!

When Dricus Du Plessis first stepped into the UFC octagon in 2020, few could have predicted his meteoric rise. The South African fighter brought an unusual style and an even more unusual path to the big show, having made his name in smaller promotions across Africa and Europe. Unlike many champions who stick to safe fights and careful matchmaking, ‘DDP’ has taken on all comers with a refreshing eagerness.

His journey to the top has been marked by taking out seemingly unbeatable opponents. He conquered the technical mastery of Robert Whittaker to the precision striking of Israel Adesanya. Now twice, he proved himself against the gritty Sean Strickland. Each victory has showcased his ability to adapt and overcome different fighting styles, making veteran analyst and former MMA fighter Din Thomas sit up and take notice.

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Din Thomas Gives His Assessment On Dricus Du Plessis

According to Thomas, Du Plessis represents something rare in modern MMA. He is a champion who embodies every aspect of what a title holder should be. The way he carries himself, from his confident walk to his measured words, speaks volumes about his championship mentality.

“There’s no champion in the UFC that’s got the total package like [Dricus Du Plessis]. I mean this guy just oozes championship in him. He walks out, chest is up, he says all the right things, and then when he fights, he delivers,” said Thomas via The Ariel Helwani Show.

"There's no champion in the UFC that's got the total package like [Dricus Du Plessis]. I mean this guy just oozes championship in him.

He walks out, chest is up, he says all the right things, and then when he fights, he delivers."

Din Thomas has high praise for Dricus Du… pic.twitter.com/olpccy7Ipp
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 10, 2025

But it’s not just about appearance. ‘Stillknocks’ backs up his talk with performances that leave no doubt about his abilities. Thomas’s praise comes at an interesting time, as the division faces a potential showdown between Du Plessis and the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev.

Din Thomas Gives His Take On Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev

Din Thomas has been making waves with his bold take on the potential championship bout between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev. Having spent years both in the octagon and behind the commentary desk, Thomas knows a thing or two about sizing up fighters.

Thomas isn’t pulling any punches with his analysis, comparing Chimaev to a sprinter who would dominate anyone in a five-minute dash but might struggle in a marathon. He believes Du Plessis’s durability and fight IQ will be too much for Chimaev to handle once the fight goes into deep waters.

“I think Khamzat [Chimaev] is a sprinter… if you were to make fights one five-minute round, Khamzat beats anybody in the world, any weight class. But you can’t fight championship-level fights for five rounds at the pace where he’s at his best.”

"Khamzat is a sprinter… You can't fight championship level fights for 5 rounds at the pace where he's at his best.

I think Dricus is so durable and he's so smart that he'll be able to withstand that. Now they're swimming in deep water and Khamzat can't swim that deep."

Din… pic.twitter.com/8IGlfdcEYf
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 10, 2025

It’s an interesting perspective, especially considering Chimaev’s previous fights, while dominant, most haven’t gone the full distance. Din Thomas makes a solid point about cardio being more than just stamina; it’s about managing your skills throughout the fight. Dricud Du Plessis, fresh off his title win and already eyeing a super fight with Alex Pereira, certainly knows a thing or two about pacing himself in championship rounds.

(Image Credit: Dan Hamilton – Imagn Images)

Din Thomas

Dricus Du Plessis

Khamzat Chimaev

UFC 312

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!