Dricus du Plessis shared a sweet moment with his parents following his UFC fight.
Images via TikTok: ESPN MMA
‘Papa, vat hier’: Dricus’s sweet moment with parents has fans in tears [watch]
Fans of Dricus du Plessis were touched by this sweet moment with his parents after scooping the UFC world champion title…
Dricus du Plessis shared a sweet moment with his parents following his UFC fight.
Images via TikTok: ESPN MMA
Dricus du Plessis may be a fierce opponent in the ring, but he’s a big softie in real life. The UFC world champion celebrated his title win with lots of affection from his loved ones, including his parents.
On Sunday morning, the Pretoria boy made history when he became the first African to win the middleweight title.
The fight – against defending champ Sean Strickland – took place at the Scotiabank Arena in Canada.
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DRICUS SHOWS LOVE TO FAMILY AFTER FIGHT
Despite Dricus’s parents expressing their initial disapproval of him taking up MMA fighting, it’s clear they are now beaming with pride.
In pics and clips posted online, the star athlete is embraced by his mom and dad. His emotional mother even tells him: “I’m proud of you”.
Dricus then asks his dad to place his UFC world champion belt on his shoulder. “Papa, vat hier [Dad, take it],” he says in Afrikaans.
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In another pic, a bruised and battered Dricus shares a hug with his elderly dad.
On social media, fans of the fighter were moved by the heartwarming moment.
“I teared up when he said, ‘Papa, vat hier.’”
“It’s those moments that count.”
“He still calls his dad Papa. Respect”
“Says it all, champ and a family man”
@espnmma #dricusduplessis #ufc297 #ufc #family ♬ original sound – ESPN MMA
PARENTS SUPPORTED HIS DREAM TO FIGHT
Dricus grew up in Pretoria in a “rugby-mad household.”
He is one of three boys born to parents Japie and Gerda du Plessis. His brother Niel is also an MMA fighter, and another, WC, is a business investor.
According to Code Sports, Dricus said his dream was to become a Springbok initially. And as a professional rugby star who played in the U19 Currie Cup for the Blue Bulls, this almost became a reality.
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The then-teen had a sports scholarship to study at the University of Pretoria. But Dricus ditched his plans at the last minute and took up fighting.
He told the publication: “Dad wasn’t happy at all, because I was still an amateur, and he didn’t know what I was going to do for money.
“He also had to pay for all my studies, but I just loved fighting so much.”
