Often referred to as the “gorilla on roller skates,” UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis has built a reputation for his unorthodox but highly effective fighting style. Currently undefeated in the promotion and already a two-time title defender, ‘Stillknocks’ has solidified himself as someone with a mythical reputation. A famous meme on the internet erupted, which said, “On paper, everyone beats DDP, but DDP can’t read!” Sounds hilarious, right? Well, it is! But more than that, it’s effective. Despite early criticisms of his unconventional approach, the South African has consistently silenced his detractors, getting the job done inside the Octagon.

His unique style, often compared to “white man dancing,“ has earned him recognition among the elite, with notable victories over big names such as Robert Whittaker, Israel Adesanya, and Sean Strickland (twice). Fans have started embracing Du Plessis’ “drunken monkey” style, and he successfully defended his title against Strickland at UFC 312 in Australia. Looking ahead, ‘Stillknocks’ wants a highly anticipated matchup against the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev, with Dana White confirming that the bout is a done deal at the UFC Kansas City presser. 

The buzz around this potential bout is undeniable, and Israel Adesanya recently shared his thoughts on Dricus Du Plessis’ fighting style during an appearance on the Pound 4 Pound podcast. Having experienced the South African native’s unique approach firsthand, Adesanya stated, “Stubborn man, it’s even funny to watch. I give him all the respect. Look, he’s so good at what he does, no matter what, and I’ve said, what did I say before? He’s the best sh-t fighter in the world. Somehow, he makes it look good.”

Henry Cejudo compared Du Plessis’ fighting style to bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili and 170lbs kingpin Belal Muhammad, highlighting their relentless cardio and seamless integration of striking and wrestling. However, Adesanya disagreed, asserting that Dvalishvili’s approach is far superior in that aspect. Adesanya added, “In MMA, there are always phases. At one point, strikers dominated, and it became the trend. But as people studied the tape, they learned how to deal with it, and now it’s time to reshuffle the deck.”

Initially, there was much speculation about a potential matchup between Du Plessis and Chimaev, with rumors suggesting the fight could take place during UFC 317’s International Fight Week. However, these plans were thrown into doubt due to injury rumors surrounding ‘Stillknocks’. He later addressed the speculation, clearly dismissing it and confirming that his fight wasn’t slated for UFC 317, but rather for a later date. 

And with his coach, Morne Visser, and White confirmed that the fight is signed. But not for UFC 317. So, when will the South African champ face the Chechnya juggernaut? Time will tell. In the meantime, let’s shift gears and hear what Mike Tyson’s former trainer has to say about Dricus Du Plessis. Let’s take a look!

Mike Tyson’s former trainer defends Dricus Du Plessis’ fight style

Dricus Du Plessis solidified his position in the middleweight division with a dominant performance at UFC 312, successfully defending his title against former champion Sean Strickland in their highly anticipated rematch. Moreover, in his latest outing in Australia this past February, ‘Stillknocks’ showcased his relentless striking and even broke Strickland’s nose in the process. 

In addition, Teddy Atlas, the renowned boxing trainer who worked with Mike Tyson, broke down Du Plessis’ strategy in a YouTube segment, offering high praise for the South African fighter. Atlas said, “The opponent sees it, the opponent feels it—he’s better than he looks. Yeah, he’s big and strong, and yeah, he’s well-rounded. That’s the thing. And yeah, he’s smarter than you think he is. He’s doing little, subtle things in there to supplement the big and strong parts of what he is. At the end of the day, he mixed it up more, he was busier, and he understood the plans. He understood that he couldn’t get beat by the jab.”

As Dricus Du Plessis continues to thrive with his unorthodox fighting style, the question arises: Can he overcome the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev, widely regarded as a nightmare in the 185 lbs division? Share your thoughts below.