“Dricus Du Plessis is so awkward and cumbersome to watch, but he gets the job done—he makes it work. He charges forward, throwing punches like you stole something from him… Man, it works. I don’t know how else to sum him up, right?” said former UFC champion Robert Whittaker, offering both praise and playful criticism of the reigning middleweight king’s unorthodox yet effective style. The Afrikaner has quickly become the most feared force in the UFC’s 185-pound division.

With relentless grappling and a well-rounded skill set, he remains undefeated in the promotion, consistently dismantling top contenders. His latest triumph came last week at UFC 312, where he secured another victory over Sean Strickland in their rematch, further solidifying his dominance. Despite his impressive resume, some critics still hesitate to place ‘Stillknocks’ in the GOAT conversation. But is the skepticism justified? It’s time to break the myth—let’s dive deep into why Dricus Du Plessis has a strong case for being the UFC middleweight GOAT.

1. Unmatched Resume Against Elite Competition

Dricus Du Plessis isn’t just a fighter who thrives on proving MMA pundits and analysts wrong—he’s also a nightmare for oddsmakers. Time and again, he has defied expectations, flipping pre-fight predictions upside down with his relentless, explosive performances against the middleweight division’s best. His rise to dominance began at UFC 290 when he faced former champion Robert Whittaker. Despite entering as the underdog, ‘Stillknocks’ shocked the world by knocking out Whittaker in the second round. Riding that momentum into 2024, he took on Sean Strickland—another fan favorite.

Unbothered by the odds stacked against him, Dricus Du Plessis dethroned Sean Strickland to claim the middleweight title. His first title defense came against Israel Adesanya, where once again, he was seen as the underdog. Yet, true to form, Du Plessis silenced doubters by doing what no one else had—submitting Adesanya in dominant fashion.

Then, just last week, the Afrikaner defended his belt in a rematch against ‘Tarzan’, this time as the favorite. Sean Strickland had no answer for DDP in their rematch, as the champion put him on the back pedal. If he continues his dominance, he could very well place himself above a legend like Israel Adesanya in the near future. If he manages to stay in the division for long enough, he could rival the precedent set by Anderson Silva. But we have a while to go before that happens. His ability to dismantle elite opponents while remaining undefeated has set him apart in the middleweight division—all while maintaining an exceptionally striking efficiency.

2. Style That No One Has an Answer For

“Fighting Dricus du Plessis is like battling a c-ked-out chimpanzee in a phone booth. You’re just standing there thinking, what’s happening? It’s overwhelming and catches guys off guard because no one fights like this. What are you doing? And the dude is just out of his mind, trying to win,” UFC middleweight contender Chris Curtis told MMA Junkie earlier this year. The Afrikaner stands apart from the typical fighter—he doesn’t rely on a single discipline. While wrestling is his foundation, he boasts an undefeated amateur kickboxing record, with nearly all his victories coming by knockout.

On the grappling front, he showcased his submission skills by representing CIT MMA in a regional quintet tournament, where he submitted five opponents in a row. Inside the UFC, Dricus Du Plessis’ style remains an unsolved mystery. His ability to integrate multiple disciplines makes him a more complete fighter than Israel Adesanya, whose background is strictly in kickboxing.

When compared to Anderson Silva, a master counter-striker, ‘Stillknocks’ approach is the opposite—he thrives on relentless forward pressure. His philosophy of “more pressure, less finesse” allows him to systematically break opponents, both mentally and physically. Whether inside the Octagon or through his bold trash talk, he forces his opponents into deep waters where they struggle to keep up.

3. No PED Scandals, No Cherry-Picked Fights

After successfully defending his title for the second time on Australian soil against Sean Strickland, Dricus Du Plessis wasted no time in setting his sights on his next challenge. “Khamzat is next. Khamzat is next,” he declared at the post-fight press conference, making it clear that he wants a showdown with the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev. Chimaev, a relentless force from Chechnya, Russia, boasts a flawless 14-0 record, having steamrolled most of his opponents with sheer dominance. Yet, the Afrikaner isn’t interested in taking the easy route—he’s chasing the toughest fight available. Why?

Well, because he’s on a mission to erase all doubt and solidify himself as the greatest middleweight of all time. With aspirations to surpass the legacies of Anderson Silva and Israel Adesanya, Dricus Du Plessis wants to leave no room for debate. His chiseled physique, which has even drawn praise from former UFC referee Big John McCarthy, is matched by an elite gas tank that defies expectations for a fighter of his build. Despite speculation, ‘Stillknocks’ has passed every drug test with flying colors, proving his success is purely the result of hard work and dedication.

Now, with ‘Borz’ in his crosshairs, Du Plessis is ready to take another decisive step toward cementing his place as the undisputed middleweight GOAT. Do you believe Dricus Du Plessis has already secured his place as the middleweight GOAT, or does he still have more to prove? With a potential showdown against Khamzat Chimaev looming, has he done enough to cement his legacy among the division’s all-time greats? Share your thoughts—where does the Afrikaner currently rank in the sport?