Dricus du Plessis

In February 2025, Du Plessis publicly wore a "Trump prefers champions" T-shirt, called Donald Trump an "amazing president" and praised Elon Musk, as accusations by Trump and Musk against South Africa's land and racial policies caused a diplomatic crisis. His support prompted a strong negative response from part of the South African public.

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Du Plessis said he wanted to be the first UFC champion born, raised, trained and still resident in Africa, pointing out that previous African champions lived and trained elsewhere. Israel Adesanya, Kamaru Usman and others interpreted this rhetoric as questioning their African identity. At the UFC 305 press conference in 2024, the rivalry intensified when Du Plessis asked Adesanya whether he would bring his "servants" with him, referring to his childhood and provoking an emotional reaction.

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In promoting their fight, Du Plessis used Sean Strickland's abusive childhood in trash talk, promising, among other things, a beating worse than those inflicted by his father. Strickland said he had been deeply triggered by the comments and, the day after a press conference, jumped over seats to attack Du Plessis in the stands at UFC 296.

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