Dricus du Plessis: Uncovering the Nationality and Religious Background of a Rising UFC Star

The Rise of Dricus du Plessis: A Deep Dive into his Family, Nationality, Religion, and Training

Backstory and Family

Dricus du Plessis, also known as “Stillknocks,” has emerged as a prominent figure in the UFC. With an undefeated record in the promotion and victories over notable fighters like Derek Brunson, Darren Till, and Robert Whittaker, du Plessis has quickly made a name for himself.

Born to parents Japie and Gerda du Plessis, Dricus has two brothers, Niel du Plessis and WC du Plessis. He is the youngest in his household. While his parents have successful children in various fields, they are rarely seen together. Japie and Gerda have retired and spend their time in their native country of South Africa.

Dricus frequently expresses his appreciation for his parents on social media, often sharing posts dedicated to them. For example, on Mother’s Day, he shared a series of pictures celebrating his mother.

Niel du Plessis, one of Dricus’ brothers, is also an MMA fighter. He started his MMA career in 2016 and has made a name for himself in the South African-based promotion, Extreme Fighting Championship. However, less is known about the oldest brother, WC du Plessis.

Nationality and Religion

Dricus du Plessis was born on January 14, 1994, and holds South African nationality. While there has been some debate over his nationality in the past, his birthplace in the Hatfield region of Pretoria confirms his South African heritage.

Recently, du Plessis emphasized his African roots, referring to himself as a “real African fighter” in the UFC. This statement drew a response from fellow UFC stars Israel Adesanya and Kamaru Usman, both born in Nigeria but now based in different countries. Adesanya, in particular, expressed his disapproval of du Plessis’ claim.

In terms of religion, Dricus du Plessis is a devoted Christian. He publicly declared his faith in Christianity in 2013 through a Facebook post, and he has remained firm in his beliefs ever since. His faith plays an important role in his life, and he is known to be a family-oriented individual.

Training and Career

At 29 years old, Dricus du Plessis is making waves in the world of mixed martial arts. He trains at Team CIT MMA, based in his native country of South Africa. Known for his kickboxing skills, du Plessis holds a 2nd-degree black belt in the discipline.

His journey to the top of the UFC has been challenging but rewarding. Initially studying agricultural economics at the University of Pretoria, du Plessis made the bold decision to drop out and pursue his passion for MMA. It was a leap of faith that has paid off well for him.

Despite his successes in the Octagon, du Plessis faced doubts regarding his cardio capacity. However, it was revealed that a severe nose injury had limited his oxygen intake to just 8%. This explained his previous cardio limitations. Fortunately, he underwent surgery on his nose, and his cardio has improved significantly since then.

Dricus du Plessis’ upcoming challenge is his title bout against Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 for the middleweight championship. This fight is a testament to his hard work and determination to compete at the highest level.

Overall, Dricus du Plessis’ rise in the UFC showcases his exceptional talent, strong family values, and dedication to his faith. As he continues to pursue his MMA career, he serves as an inspiration to aspiring fighters and a reminder that success often requires courage and perseverance.