Dricus du Plessis is a South African mixed martial artist. He competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight Division. He is a former middleweight and welterweight champion of the Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC).
Here, you will know Dricus du Plessis’ net worth, salary, earnings, career, MMA record, wife, and more.
Dricus du Plessis’ Biography
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dricus “Stillknocks” du Plessis |
| Date of Birth | January 14, 1994 |
| Age | 31 |
| Education | Studied agricultural economics at the University of Pretoria (final year, dropped out) |
| Nationality | South African |
| Height | 185 cm (6’1”) |
| Weight Division | Middleweight (185 lbs) |
| Turned Pro | July 2013 |
| Net Worth | Approximately $1 million |
| Salary/Career Earnings | Varies: $75K base (early UFC fights), $300K–$1.2M base (title fights), plus bonuses |
| Fiancée | Vasti Spiller |
| Instagram Profile | Not publicly available |
| Twitter Profile | Not publicly available |
Early Career
Dricus du Plessis first stepped on the mats at age five when he began judo lessons in Welkom, South Africa. By twelve he added wrestling, and at fourteen he was training in kickboxing. At seventeen he became South Africa’s first ever WAKO World Championship medallist in K-1 kickboxing, but ultimately shifted focus to mixed martial arts where bigger opportunities awaited.
He launched his professional MMA career in July 2013, quickly making a name for himself in local promotions. Du Plessis captured both welterweight and middleweight titles in the Extreme Fighting Championship, then tested his skills in Europe with Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki. His relentless pace, diverse striking, and ever-improving ground game earned him a string of finishes, setting the stage for a UFC contract in 2020.
Professional Career
After debuting in the UFC in October 2020, du Plessis rattled off nine consecutive wins, showcasing his trademark guillotine chokes and punishing leg kicks. His highlight-reel knockout of Robert Whittaker in July 2023 cemented his status as a top contender.
On January 20, 2024, he faced Sean Strickland at UFC 297 and captured the middleweight title via split decision, becoming the first South African UFC champion. He defended the belt against Israel Adesanya in August 2024, submitting the former champion with a face crank in round four for Adesanya’s first submission loss.
Du Plessis then outpointed Strickland again in February 2025 to remain undisputed. Warriors and pundits alike praise his unorthodox style, combining pinpoint striking with slick grappling transitions, making him a constant threat inside the octagon.
Wife
Dricus du Plessis keeps his personal life largely private, but fans know he has been in a devoted relationship with boxing coach and entrepreneur Vasti Spiller since 2022. The couple announced their engagement in January 2025, sharing intimate moments from a small ceremony attended by close friends and family in South Africa. Spiller, a seasoned boxing coach at CIT Boxing, has been instrumental in sharpening du Plessis’s striking techniques, often working side by side in the gym.
Beyond coaching, Vasti runs Baruch Photography, a successful couple-focused photography business. Her eye for detail and creative vision have led to memorable portraits of athletic couples, blending her love for visual storytelling with a passion for fitness.
Off the mats, she dedicates time to the B Loved Foundation, an organization committed to supporting underprivileged communities. As an ambassador, she helps coordinate events and fundraising drives, reflecting a shared commitment with du Plessis to give back to their homeland.
Although they don’t have children yet, both have spoken about building a family in the future. Their social media feeds (Spiller’s Instagram exceeds 62K followers) capture glimpses of training sessions, travels, and everyday moments—proof that their partnership extends well beyond fight week. With a wedding on the horizon and du Plessis’s career in full flight, the pair strike a balance between high-stakes competition and grounded personal values.
Dricus du Plessis’ Net Worth Details
South African mixed martial artist Dricus’s net worth is estimated to be $1 million as of 2025.
Fight Purses
| Opponent | Event | Date | Total Purse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Strickland | UFC 297 | Jan 20, 2024 | $300,000 |
| Sean Strickland | UFC 312 | Feb 8, 2025 | $1,642,000 |
Career Earnings
| Year | Estimated Fight Earnings |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $300,000 |
| 2025 | $1,642,000 |
Endorsements
Du Plessis partners with a range of brands that resonate with his performance-driven image. He collaborates with Ultimate Sports Nutrition on supplement lines tailored for fighters, promoting protein powders and recovery formulas.
As a global ambassador for World Sports Betting, he features in campaigns encouraging responsible sports wagering. On television, he appears in SuperSport promos across Africa, highlighting marquee UFC events.
He’s also teamed up with Vivify U, a wellness brand focusing on active lifestyles, and Hennies, a South African apparel label known for its functional, fight-ready gear. These partnerships not only boost his income but also align with his ethos of hard work, discipline, and giving back to the community.
Career Stats
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Professional Record | 23–2–0 |
| Total Wins | 23 |
| Wins by Knockout | 9 |
| Wins by Submission | 11 |
| Losses | 2 |
| Losses by Stoppage | 1 |
| Knockout Ratio | 39% |
| Submission Ratio | 48% |
| Total Rounds Fought | 56 |
| Average Fight Length | 2.2 rounds |
| Pro Debut | July 2013 |
FAQs
1. Who is Dricus du Plessis and what notable achievements define his MMA career?
Dricus du Plessis is a South African mixed martial artist who holds the UFC middleweight championship. Since joining the UFC in 2020, he’s compiled 19 wins in his last 20 fights, including victories over Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland, Robert Whittaker and Derek Brunson. He secured his title at UFC 297 and has defended it successfully while earning finishes by knockout and submission.
2. How did du Plessis become the UFC middleweight champion and who did he defeat to win the title?
At UFC 297 on January 20, 2024, du Plessis captured the middleweight belt with a five-round split decision over Sean Strickland in Toronto, marking the first UFC title in South African history. He then retained the championship by submitting Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 and defeating Strickland again by unanimous decision at UFC 312.
3. What is the origin and significance of du Plessis’ nickname “Stillknocks”?
His brother coined the nickname “Stillknocks” after du Plessis went 33-0 with 30 knockouts during his amateur K-1 career. The moniker highlights his relentless finishing ability and powerful striking, traits that have defined both his early development and professional MMA success.
4. What is unique about du Plessis’ fighting style and skill set?
Du Plessis seamlessly blends unorthodox striking with sudden grappling entries, shifting between orthodox and southpaw stances to confuse opponents. His toolkit includes heavy hands, swift takedowns and a diverse submission arsenal—factors that have produced eight first-round finishes in the UFC.
5. What has du Plessis said ahead of his scheduled fight against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319?
Before UFC 319, du Plessis warned undefeated contender Khamzat Chimaev to expect an “unpleasant” first-time experience in the octagon. He emphasized that regardless of Chimaev’s skill or strength, he would face a uniquely tough challenge and vowed to showcase South African resilience and power.
