Dricus du Plessis says he likes Justin Gaethje's fighting style

UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has gone on record saying he admires the fighting style of lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, offering a brief but genuine nod of respect across weight classes.

Du Plessis, 32, carries a 23-3-0 record and holds the middleweight title while sitting seventh in the pound-for-pound rankings. The South African 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 adds a notable ground threat, averaging 2.22 takedowns per 15 minutes. His combination of striking volume and wrestling versatility has made him one of the most complete fighters in the division.

Gaethje, nicknamed "The Highlight," is the reigning lightweight champion at 37 years old with a 28-5-0 record. The Arizona-born orthodox fighter stands five-foot-eleven with a 70-inch reach and has built his reputation on relentless forward pressure and heavy output. He lands 6.48 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 58 percent accuracy, numbers that reflect the kind of high-tempo, aggressive style that has earned him a devoted following throughout his career.

Du Plessis did not elaborate on which specific elements of Gaethje's approach he finds most compelling, but the admiration is easy to understand given Gaethje's track record as one of the sport's most consistently exciting fighters.

Why it matters

• Gaethje's 6.48 significant strikes per minute and 58 percent accuracy represent a striking profile that even elite fighters take notice of
• Both men are current champions in their respective divisions, giving the comment added weight as cross-divisional acknowledgment between titleholders
• The statement underlines the mutual respect that exists between fighters operating at the top of the sport, even when no competitive matchup is on the table