Dricus Du Plessis calls himself a McGregor fan, praises his timing and power

UFC middleweight contender Dricus Du Plessis has come out as a self-described Conor McGregor fan, saying he could not bring himself to bet against the Irish star and singling out McGregor's timing as one of the most dangerous weapons in the sport.

Du Plessis, ranked second at middleweight and seventh pound-for-pound at 32 years old, carries an impressive 23-3-0 record fighting out of South Africa under Team CIT. The switch-stance South African is one of the division's most active strikers, landing 5.18 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy, while also posing a consistent takedown threat at 2.22 attempts per 15 minutes. He noted that fighters who have shared the cage with McGregor consistently single out his timing as what catches them off guard, and Du Plessis echoed that view.

The champion-level contender also pointed to Ilia Topuria's recent knockout of Max Holloway as evidence that finishing Holloway is not impossible — a nod to just how significant that stoppage was given Holloway's durability.

Topuria, ranked first pound-for-pound at just 29 years old, carries a 17-1-0 record and competes at lightweight for Spain's Climent Club. He lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute and attempts 1.1 submissions per 15 minutes, showing a well-rounded game that clearly impressed Du Plessis.

Holloway himself is no easy study. The 34-year-old American owns a 27-9-0 record and ranks fourth in the lightweight division, ninth pound-for-pound. He averages a punishing 7.2 significant strikes per minute, making Topuria's finish of him all the more notable in Du Plessis's eyes.

Why it matters

• Du Plessis's comments keep his public profile active ahead of any future title implications at middleweight
• His praise of Topuria's knockout power signals respect for the pound-for-pound number one
• The reference to McGregor's timing adds weight to any potential matchup conversation involving the Irishman's return