---
title: "Dricus du Plessis makes history as South Africa’s first UFC middleweight champion"
description: "South Africa has their first UFC champion after a bruising performance by Dricus du Plessis over Sean Strickland on Sunday."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "BLOODY VICTORY"
author: "Keanan Hemmonsbey"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/keanan-hemmonsbey/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-01-21-dricus-du-plessis-makes-history-as-sas-first-ufc-middleweight-champ/"
published: "2024-01-21T09:28:34"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 230
---

# Dricus du Plessis makes history as South Africa’s first UFC middleweight champion

> South Africa has their first UFC champion after a bruising performance by Dricus du Plessis over Sean Strickland on Sunday.

By Keanan Hemmonsbey · Published 21 January 2024, 11:28 SAST

## Key points
- In a brutal showdown, Dricus "Stillknocks" du Plessis emerged victorious, snatching the middleweight belt from Sean Strickland's grasp and making history as the first South African to hold a UFC title, leaving fans eagerly awaiting a potential clash with former champ Israel Adesanya.
- Dricus "Stillknocks" du Plessis makes history as the first South African UFC belt holder
- Du Plessis secures middleweight belt after intense battle with Sean Strickland
- Du Plessis remains undefeated in the UFC with a record of seven wins in four years
- Du Plessis challenges former champion Israel Adesanya for his first title defense

## Content

Dricus “Stillknocks” du Plessis became the first South African Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) belt holder after beating Sean Strickland by split decision on Sunday morning to take the middleweight belt from the champion.

It was a five-round bloodbath between the two big strikers but ultimately it was the burly South African who came away with the win at UFC 297’s main event in Toronto, Canada.

Du Plessis is now seven wins from seven fights in the UFC, having climbed up the rankings rapidly within four years. He called out former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya after the brawl as a possible first opponent to defend his belt. **DM**

![Dricus du Plessis of South Africa won a split points decision against Sean Strickland to win the middleweight championship at UFC 297 event at Scotiabank Arena on January 20, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/YNxw6U3lcL3Ooq1TCLBhNd-K1lI=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1949062237.jpg)

*Dricus du Plessis won a split-points decision against Sean Strickland to win the middleweight championship at UFC 297 event at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, on 20 January 2024. (Photo: Jeff Bottari / Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)*

![(L-R) Dricus Du Plessis of South Africa land a left on Sean Strickland  in a UFC middleweight championship bout during the UFC 297 (Photo: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/pOOAx7246F5Uvx_Zg8V6R3UMHKI=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1949056070.jpg)

*Dricus du Plessis lands a left on Sean Strickland during their UFC middleweight championship bout. (Photo: Jeff Bottari / Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)*

![(L-R) Dricus Du Plessis of South Africa punches Sean Strickland in a UFC middleweight championship bout during the UFC 297 event at Scotiabank Arena on January 20, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/wSJ9leE6z_MqxvTzYnchiDrKHS4=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1949056067.jpg)

*Dricus du Plessis punches Sean Strickland in the UFC middleweight championship bout in Toronto, Ontario, on 20 January 2024. (Photo: Jeff Bottari / Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)*

![Dricus Du Plessis of South Africa prepares to face Sean Strickland in a UFC middleweight championship bout during the UFC 297 event at Scotiabank Arena on 20 January 2024 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/13nd9w3a_XVqszinUlJ-PFkghiQ=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1949044654.jpg)

*Dricus du Plessis prepares to face Sean Strickland in a UFC middleweight championship bout at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, on 20 January 2024. (Photo: Jeff Bottari / Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)*