Dricus du Plessis

Dricus du Plessis and Cameron Saaiman did South Africa proud at UFC 285. Photos: UFC

Dricus du Plessis batters Derek Brunson to crack UFC top five

Dricus du Plessis is now a UFC top-five middleweight after he battered Derek Brunson at UFC 285 in Las Vegas.

Dricus du Plessis

Dricus du Plessis and Cameron Saaiman did South Africa proud at UFC 285. Photos: UFC

Dricus du Plessis is now a UFC top-five middleweight after he battered Derek Brunson at UFC 285 in Las Vegas.

Dricus du Plessis batters Derek Brunson

Du Plessis had Brunson’s number in the end and ultimately his biggest challenge was not punching himself out at the finish.

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The TEAM CIT MMA fighter produced a composed and accomplished display and the Brunson corner were forced to throw in the towel with seconds remaining in Round Two.

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In the early going of the fight, Du Plessis was drawn into a mat battle that was a bit of a mismatch and left him in trouble.

Du Plessis once again demonstrated his resilience and conditioning as he began to take control of the fight.

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As Stillknocks kept coming forward, Brunson found himself backpedaling and taking some serious punishment.

The Brunson corner threw in the towel for a stoppage that was timed at 4:59 in the third round.

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Cameron Saaiman gets another win

Dricus du Plessis and Cameron Saaiman jet off for UFC 285
Dricus du Plessis and Cameron Saaiman jet off for UFC 285. Photo: Dricus Du Plessis/Facebook

It was another South African double act at UFC 285 as Cameron Saaiman earned a majority points decision victory over Mana Martinez.

Saaiman also showed that he can absorb some punishment as Martinez started well.

For the second fight in a row Saaiman had to accept a one point penalty although it was clear that the eye poke suffered by Martinez was accidental.

There was no splitting Saaiman and Martinez and the bout had to be settled by the judge’s scorecards.

Saaiman would be declared the winner as the three judges scored the fight 29-26, 28-27 and 28-28.

His mentor at TEAM CIT Du Plessis, was watching the fight from the back as he prepared to battle Brunson.

Saaiman is now 2-0 in the UFC and 8-0 in his professional career.

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