Dricus du Plessis defeated Sean Strickland by split decision to win the UFC middleweight title in Toronto, Canada. Photo by Canadian Press/Shutterstock
CONFIRMED: Dates, venues for Dricus du Plessis ‘belt tour’
Dricus du Plessis will be conducting a ‘belt tour’ to two South African cities after claiming middleweight gold in the UFC
Dricus du Plessis defeated Sean Strickland by split decision to win the UFC middleweight title in Toronto, Canada. Photo by Canadian Press/Shutterstock
South Africa is still celebrating Dricus du Plessis’ historic UFC title win over Sean Strickland, with the 30-year-old bringing the belt back to South Africa as he returned to Mzansi last week.
As expected, Du Plessis was warmly welcomed at the arrivals hall, as hundreds of fans showed their love for the champion.
It’s now been confirmed that fans will also get a chance to see Du Plessis on his ‘belt tour’, which is coming to Cape Town on Friday, 2 February, and then Pretoria on Saturday.
LOOK | Dricus du Plessis celebrates UFC title with beer and croissants – PICTURE
Check out the special scenes when Dricus du Plessis return to South Africa below:
Prior to Dricus du Plessis’ UFC championship bout, he had stated that he was determined to emerge as a champion, or “die trying”.
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It certainly was a war of attrition with Strickland, an elite technical striker who was highly successful with his piston-like jabs that left Du Plessis bloodied, bruised but unbowed.
“The jab was beautiful,” said UFC president Dana White after the encounter. “You don’t see jabs like that in MMA. And the jabs did what they’re supposed to do. Both of his (Du Plessis’) eyes were swelling shut.”
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Dricus du Plessis left battered and bruised
Du Plessis admitted it had been a hugely physical bout, jokingly suggesting he had lost his good looks as a result of the battle.
“Do you remember how handsome I was before this fight?” he said with a belly laugh. “I look like a cauliflower now. I’m pretty banged up right now.”
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History maker
Du Plessis became the first fighter from South Africa to hold a title in the most prestigious organisation in mixed martial arts.
“Wow. The emotions I felt when I heard the judges scores being read,” Du Plessis said in the post-fight press conference after UFC297.
“It felt like 15 years of work, of dreaming and sacrifices came together in that one single sentence.”
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