UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has publicly stated that he enjoys watching Justin Gaethje's fighting style. The South African fighter's brief comment suggests an appreciation for Gaethje's aggressive, action-oriented approach to combat. While du Plessis and Gaethje compete in different weight classes, this shows the champion's interest in his fellow fighters' techniques. The post acknowledges that this preference is not particularly surprising. No further details about specific aspects of Gaethje's style or potential implications were provided.
UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has gone on record saying he enjoys watching Justin Gaethje compete, offering a public nod to the lightweight champion's hard-charging approach to fighting.
Du Plessis, 32, holds a 23-3-0 professional record and sits atop the middleweight division while ranking seventh pound-for-pound in the UFC. The South African, who trains out of Team CIT, is a switch-stance fighter 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 mat, averaging 2.22 takedowns per 15 minutes — a well-rounded profile that suggests he watches the sport with an eye for tactical variety.
Gaethje, nicknamed "The Highlight," gives fans plenty to analyze. The 37-year-old American lightweight champion carries a 28-5-0 record and is built around relentless forward pressure and volume striking. Standing five-foot-eleven with a 70-inch reach, he lands 6.48 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 58 percent accuracy — numbers that reflect the kind of aggressive, action-first style du Plessis referenced in his comments. Gaethje, who trains at Genesis Training Center, logs virtually no submission attempts and just 0.33 takedowns per 15 minutes, meaning nearly everything he does happens on the feet.
Why it matters
- Du Plessis and Gaethje compete in separate divisions — middleweight and lightweight respectively — so no matchup is implied by the comment.
- Gaethje's elite striking volume and accuracy at lightweight make him a natural subject of study for a champion who prioritizes stand-up combat.
- The remark offers a small window into how du Plessis, one of the UFC's top pound-for-pound fighters, evaluates talent across the roster.
