Newly-minted UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis was the recipient of a hero’s welcome after returning to his home country several days after winning UFC gold in the UFC 297 main event.
Du Plessis, who has now been champion of every major MMA organisation that he was represented, made a vow to his homeland ahead of his fight with Sean Strickland that he would return home with the title — and in the early hours of Thursday, he made good on his promise as he arrived back to the airport where hundreds of supporters were waiting for him.
“Absolutely incredible,” Du Plessis told local media of the welcome he received. “It’s incredible, wow. Thank you, South Africa, this is absolutely amazing.”
Check out the footage of the champ’s victorious homecoming below:
[ON AIR] UFC Middleweight World Champion Dricus du Plessis returns home. He’s the first South African to win a UFC world title. #DStv403 #eNCA pic.twitter.com/bUd3keu8Hn
— eNCA (@eNCA) January 25, 2024
A Champ’s welcome home! 🇿🇦🏆@DricusduPlessis arrives back in South Africa with the belt! pic.twitter.com/RJ5em5cDgj
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) January 25, 2024
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