Who is ddp?
Find out all you need to know about the world’s most dominant middleweight fighter, DDP
The team behind ddp's fight camps
DDP’s success in the UFC is deeply rooted in the exceptional training environment and coaching team hes has at home. The mix between the coaching staff, the gym and the team is what gets it done in the octagon.
Morne
Visser
Morne Visser is CIT's head coach and driving force behind Dricus Du Plessis's success in the UFC
CIT Performance
Institute
CIT Performance Institute, located in Pretoria, South Africa, is the training ground for Dricus Du Plessis and other aspiring MMA fighters.
Team
CIT MMA
Team CIT MMA is Africa's most dominant MMA team. The team is made up of Africa's most accomplished MMA fighters
Biography
Dricus Du Plessis, known by his nickname “Stillknocks,” is a multi-division champion and one of the most formidable figures in the UFC. Born on January 14, 1994, in Welkom, South Africa, Du Plessis began his martial arts journey at a young age, training in judo, wrestling, and kickboxing before transitioning to mixed martial arts.
Du Plessis’s early life was marked by a deep involvement in martial arts. He started training in judo at the age of five, followed by wrestling at twelve, and kickboxing at fourteen. His prowess in kickboxing led to him becoming a WAKO World Champion in K-1 style kickboxing at just 17 years old. However, realizing the financial potential in MMA, Du Plessis shifted his focus to mixed martial arts.
Du Plessis made his professional MMA debut in 2013, quickly compiling a 4-0 record before facing future UFC fighter Garreth McLellan at EFC Africa 33. Despite an early loss, Du Plessis rebounded with a string of victories, eventually becoming the Welterweight and Middleweight Champion of the Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) and the Welterweight Champion of Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki (KSW).
Du Plessis is bilingual, speaking both English and Afrikaans, and has been open about his personal life, including a recent surgery to correct a breathing impairment that had affected his performance in fights. He had been competing with “only 8% oxygen” intake through his nostrils due to chronic nasal congestion, but the surgery has significantly improved his condition.
The Springbok of the UFC
Du Plessis’s passion for rugby is well-documented. Despite pursuing a career in mixed martial arts, he grew up dreaming of one day wearing the iconic green jersey of the Springboks.
This dream, though unfulfilled in rugby, has been channeled into his MMA career, where he proudly represents his country on the global stage.
Early career
Du Plessis's transition to professional MMA was a natural progression from his successful kickboxing career. He made his professional MMA debut in 2013 and quickly compiled an impressive record,.
Family
Dricus Du Plessis was born on January 14, 1994, in Welkom South Africa, to parents Japie and Gerda Du Plessis. He grew up in a supportive family environment with two brothers, Neil Du Plessis and WC Du Plessis.
Legacy
Du Plessis's impact extends beyond his personal achievements; he has become an inspiration to young athletes across South Africa. His victory in the UFC has sent a powerful message that South Africans can compete at the highest level in global sports.
Achievements
He is the first South African to win a UFC championship, claiming the Middleweight title at UFC 297. Prior to joining the UFC, Du Plessis held multiple titles, including the Welterweight and Middleweight Championships in the Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) and the Welterweight Championship in Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki (KSW).
Most common questions
Dricus Du Plessis hails from Welkom, South Africa, a town known for its deep mining roots. Despite his international success, Dricus remains proud of his South African heritage and often reflects on the impact his hometown has had on his journey.
Dricus’s walkaround weight typically ranges between 215-220 lbs (97-100 kg), giving him the size and power needed for intense training camps before cutting down to compete in the UFC Middleweight division.
DDP trains at the CIT Performance Institute with the TEAM CIT MMA professional team, a group of elite fighters based in Pretoria. This high-level training environment has played a crucial role in shaping Dricus into the dominant fighter he is today.
For Dricus Du Plessis, fighting has always been a way of life. He has never known anything else, having immersed himself in combat sports from a young age. From competitive kickboxing to MMA, Dricus’s path has always been centered around fighting, making it his true calling.