Dricus Du Plessis acknowledged Conor McGregor's significant role in growing mixed martial arts as a sport. The UFC middleweight champion noted that people often say no individual can be bigger than the sport itself, but McGregor managed to transcend that limitation. Du Plessis expressed appreciation for the Irish star's impact on the sport's popularity. The post emphasized McGregor's undeniable influence on MMA's global expansion. Du Plessis's comments highlight the lasting legacy of McGregor's career beyond his fighting record.
Dricus Du Plessis has spoken out in praise of Conor McGregor, crediting the Irish star with playing a defining role in elevating mixed martial arts to a global audience.
Du Plessis, the current UFC middleweight champion, acknowledged a widely held belief that no single individual can be bigger than the sport itself — but argued McGregor proved that notion wrong. The South African expressed genuine appreciation for the impact McGregor has had on MMA's popularity, framing it as a legacy that extends well beyond the Irishman's fighting record.
Du Plessis enters this conversation as one of the sport's most prominent active fighters. Ranked second in the middleweight division and seventh in the pound-for-pound rankings, the 32-year-old carries a professional record of 23-3-0 and has built a reputation as a relentless finisher. Standing six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach, he lands 5.18 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy, and also contributes on the ground with 2.22 takedowns per 15 minutes.
McGregor, meanwhile, holds a career record of 22-6-0 and remains one of the most recognizable names the sport has ever produced. The 37-year-old Irishman stands five-foot-nine with a 74-inch reach and posted 5.32 significant strikes per minute across his career at 49 percent accuracy — numbers that reflect the explosive striking style that helped bring millions of new fans to the sport.
Why it matters
- Du Plessis is the reigning middleweight champion, giving his public comments added weight within the MMA community
- McGregor's cultural footprint helped expand UFC's global commercial reach, benefiting fighters across all divisions
- The remarks reflect how fighters themselves view McGregor's contribution as something distinct from his competitive record alone
