Dricus du Plessis Rakes in $2.14 Million After Title Defense
South Africa's UFC champion Dricus du Plessis is celebrating a significant financial windfall, reportedly earning $2.14 million (R40 million) following his successful title defense against Sean Strickland in Australia on Sunday.
Known as "Stillknocks," du Plessis entered the fight eager to silence critics and solidify his status as the top contender in the middleweight division. His previous split-decision victory over Strickland, which earned him the title last year, had been met with skepticism, prompting questions about the legitimacy of his win. However, du Plessis decisively put those doubts to rest with a commanding performance, dominating the American fighter over five rounds, breaking his nose, and ultimately retaining his title by unanimous decision.
This victory extended du Plessis's unbeaten streak to nine in the UFC and may elevate him in the UFC's pound-for-pound rankings, where he is currently positioned at seventh. After the fight, du Plessis shared that his strategy was to maintain focus and composure throughout the bout. He mentioned that his coach advised him to stay calm, acknowledging his knockout power but emphasizing the importance of remaining collected.
His stellar performance translated into substantial earnings. According to Jacaranda FM, du Plessis reportedly received a base salary of $1.2 million, along with $400,000 from pay-per-view payouts and $42,000 in sponsorships, culminating in total earnings of $2.14 million (approximately R40 million).
Known as "Stillknocks," du Plessis entered the fight eager to silence critics and solidify his status as the top contender in the middleweight division. His previous split-decision victory over Strickland, which earned him the title last year, had been met with skepticism, prompting questions about the legitimacy of his win. However, du Plessis decisively put those doubts to rest with a commanding performance, dominating the American fighter over five rounds, breaking his nose, and ultimately retaining his title by unanimous decision.
This victory extended du Plessis's unbeaten streak to nine in the UFC and may elevate him in the UFC's pound-for-pound rankings, where he is currently positioned at seventh. After the fight, du Plessis shared that his strategy was to maintain focus and composure throughout the bout. He mentioned that his coach advised him to stay calm, acknowledging his knockout power but emphasizing the importance of remaining collected.
His stellar performance translated into substantial earnings. According to Jacaranda FM, du Plessis reportedly received a base salary of $1.2 million, along with $400,000 from pay-per-view payouts and $42,000 in sponsorships, culminating in total earnings of $2.14 million (approximately R40 million).
