Dricus Du Plessis Says He’s ‘Ultimate Goal’ Is To Move up And Become MMA GOAT, Wants ‘Dog Fight’ Rematch With Sean Strickland

DDP is laser-focused on his goals heading into UFC 312.

Dricus Du Plessis
Dricus Du Plessis - Image credit @dricusduplessis Instagram
  • Dricus du Plessis laid out his ultimate goal this year ahead of UFC 312
  • “Stillknocks” is eager to be more aggressive in his rematch with Sean Strickland.

Dricus du Plessis has set his ultimate goal and it’s to become a two-division champion and be crowned as the MMA GOAT. He also shared his thoughts on his upcoming title fight rematch with Sean Strickland at UFC 312.

DDP is goal-driven

The reigning middleweight champion is heading into his next title defense with a clear vision of what he wants to achieve in his career. Speaking to ESPN MMA, “Stillknocks” revealed that he plans to wipe the 185-pound division first, before moving up and chase double champion status.

From there, Du Plessis hopes to go all the way this year and become the right MMA GOAT.

“If you set your goals to getting to the UFC or being UFC champion and you reach that, then what’s next,” Du Plessis began. “2024 was a massive year for me but 2025 is going to be so much more, now the goal to be champion is won. There are many more to come. Defending this title, taking over the division and I’m still quite a bit away from actually dominating the division to a place where there is no competition left.”

“I also want to go up and get another belt,” he continued. “And ultimately I want to be seen as the greatest fighter to ever walk this Earth. That is my ultimate goal and that is what keeps me going no matter what you achieve. That is a legacy that you build on throughout your whole career so that is my motivation and that’s what I’m chasing. I can’t wait for what 2025 holds.”

DDP wants to make it ugly in the rematch

Admittedly, Du Plessis reckoned that Strickland was a remarkable fighter and this was the main reason why he wasn’t able to finish “Tarzan” in their first showdown. Du Plessis pointed out that Strickland relies more on his defense than offense and it would be him who would set the pace in the rematch.

The way DDP sees it, there’s no better way to break Strickland’s defense but to be aggressive early on the fight.

“He was just too good. It wasn’t for a lack of trying,” Du Plessis said of his first fight with Strickland. “You could see that. I was throwing everything I had and he was just really good, I think the pace was so high in the fight but I only started pushing the pace later in the fight whereas now I know I can start pushing the pace from the get-go. Defensively, Sean Strickland is one of the best fighters in the world, he’s really good at that and he’s really responsible with his defense.”

“He prioritizes defense over offense so he doesn’t give you that opportunity,” he assessed. “He’s willing to jab and teep his way to a decision victory and it’s up to you to go and make it a dog fight because other than that you’re not just gonna catch him clean because he’s always riding the punches and prioritizing that defense.”

Ahead of the rematch, Strickland proposed a striking only showdown to Du Plessis. However, the champ seems to be disinterested in his opponent’s idea.

Du Plessis managed to secure a decision win over “Tarzan” in their first meeting at UFC 297 to become the new middleweight champion. If he could stick to his plans, fans could expect a different “Stilknocks” at UFC 312.

Watch DDP’s full interview below:

Published on February 4, 2025 at 10:41 am
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