UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has publicly expressed his admiration for Justin Gaethje's fighting style. The South African champion made the comments in a recent interview or social media post. While details about the context are limited, du Plessis appears to appreciate Gaethje's aggressive, fan-friendly approach to fighting. This represents a rare public comment from du Plessis about a fighter outside his own division. Gaethje is known for his violent, action-packed performances in the lightweight division.
UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has gone on record to express genuine admiration for lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, praising the American's aggressive, crowd-pleasing style in a recent interview or social media appearance.
Du Plessis, 32, holds the middleweight title and currently sits at number seven in the UFC's pound-for-pound rankings despite being listed at the number two divisional ranking. The South African out of Team CIT carries a 23-3-0 professional record and is one of the more well-rounded champions on the roster, averaging 5.18 significant strikes per minute with a 48 percent striking accuracy, while also threatening consistently on the ground with 2.22 takedowns per 15 minutes. Standing six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach, he operates out of a switch stance that adds unpredictability to his offense.
Gaethje, meanwhile, has built one of the most entertaining resumes in the sport's history. The 37-year-old from the United States carries a 28-5-0 record and currently holds the lightweight championship. Fighting out of an orthodox stance at five-foot-eleven with a 70-inch reach, "The Highlight" is defined by his striking output — he lands an extraordinary 6.48 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy, numbers that rank among the best in the division. He averages virtually no submission attempts and just 0.33 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him as pure a striker as the sport has to offer.
Why it matters
- Du Plessis commenting on a fighter outside his own division is notable and relatively rare for the champion
- Gaethje's style — high-volume, high-accuracy striking — contrasts sharply with the more grappling-integrated approach du Plessis employs
- The mutual appreciation between two current champions across different weight classes keeps both names in the broader conversation around the sport's most compelling fighters
