The Fighters Who Pushed Dricus Du Plessis to His Limits

Mixed martial arts is a sport built on competition, where every fighter brings something unique into the cage. For Dricus Du Plessis, the climb to the top of the middleweight division has been shaped by battles against some of the most skilled and resilient opponents in the sport. His record includes wins over former champions, and now a title reign of his own, but these victories didn’t come easily. Each fight tested him in different ways. Some opponents challenged his technique, others his endurance, and a few simply refused to break, no matter how hard he pushed. When Du Plessis looks back at the toughest fights of his career, a few names stand out. These bouts didn’t just define his journey—they shaped him as both a fighter and a champion.

The middleweight division has always been stacked with talent, but Du Plessis has faced a unique mix of challenges. Some fighters relied on precision and timing, forcing him to adapt his game on the fly. Others brought an unrelenting toughness, absorbing punishment while still pressing forward. And then there were those who combined both, making them nearly impossible to put away. Du Plessis has never shied away from acknowledging how much these fights taught him. The lessons weren’t just about technique or strategy—they were about heart, resilience, and the mental fortitude required to compete at the highest level.

A Battle of Technique: The Night Against Israel Adesanya

One name that always comes up when Du Plessis reflects on his toughest opponents is Israel Adesanya. Their highly anticipated title fight at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia, was a clash of two middleweight legends. Adesanya, known for his striking precision and fight IQ, pushed Du Plessis in ways few fighters ever have. Du Plessis himself admitted that Adesanya was the most technically gifted opponent he had ever faced. There was no single weakness to exploit—Adesanya’s game was a complete package.

His kicks carried power, his footwork was elusive, and his ability to defend takedowns made him a nightmare for fighters looking to take the fight to the ground. Du Plessis, who built his career on relentless pressure and well-rounded skills, found himself in a chess match. It wasn’t just about landing strikes, it was about outthinking an opponent who had spent years refining his craft. Adesanya’s timing and accuracy made every exchange dangerous, and Du Plessis had to stay sharp from the opening bell to the final second.

The fight didn’t go Du Plessis’s way early. Adesanya controlled the first half, using his jab and movement to keep Du Plessis at bay. But Du Plessis adjusted, finding openings in the later rounds. The turning point came in the fourth, when Du Plessis landed a clean shot that hurt Adesanya. He followed up with a takedown and eventually secured a submission, forcing Adesanya to tap in the fourth round. That victory wasn’t just a career highlight, it was proof that Du Plessis could compete with—and defeat—the very best in the world. Yet, despite Adesanya’s technical brilliance, Du Plessis didn’t name him as the toughest opponent he’s faced. That distinction went to two other fighters who brought a different kind of challenge—one built on sheer grit and unbreakable will.

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The Fighters Who Wouldn’t Break: Sean Strickland and Brad Tavares

If Adesanya represented the pinnacle of technique, Sean Strickland and Brad Tavares embodied something else entirely—toughness. These two fighters didn’t just take Du Plessis’s best shots, they absorbed them and kept coming, round after round. Du Plessis has faced Strickland twice in title fights, and while he walked away with two victories, neither was easy. Strickland’s style is built on defense and durability. He doesn’t just block strikes, he rolls with them, minimizing damage while staying in the fight. Du Plessis acknowledged this after their first meeting at UFC 297, where Strickland’s ability to take punishment and keep pressing forward made him one of the most difficult opponents he’s ever faced.

Their first fight was a back-and-forth war. Strickland started strong, using his jab and movement to frustrate Du Plessis. But Du Plessis adjusted, landing heavy shots in the later rounds. The fight went the distance, with Du Plessis winning a split decision. The judges’ scorecards were close—48-47, 47-48, and 47-48—showing just how tight the bout was. Strickland’s ability to weather storms and keep pushing forward made him a nightmare to finish. Even when Du Plessis had him hurt, Strickland refused to fold, digging deep to survive.

Brad Tavares brought a different kind of toughness. Unlike Strickland, who relies on defensive movement, Tavares stands in the pocket and trades. He doesn’t try to slip or roll with strikes, he takes them head-on and keeps firing back. Du Plessis faced Tavares early in his UFC career, and the fight was a grueling test of endurance. Tavares absorbed punishment but never stopped coming forward, making it difficult for Du Plessis to find a finish. The fight went the distance, with Du Plessis earning a unanimous decision. Tavares’s willingness to eat shots and keep pressing made him a unique challenge. It wasn’t just about technique or strategy, it was about who wanted it more—and Tavares refused to back down.

What These Fights Taught Du Plessis

The battles against Adesanya, Strickland, and Tavares revealed different sides of Du Plessis’s game. Adesanya forced him to elevate his technique, showing that raw power alone wouldn’t be enough against the best in the world. Strickland and Tavares, on the other hand, tested his mental toughness. They proved that some fighters simply won’t break, no matter how hard you hit them. Du Plessis had to dig deep in each of these fights, finding reserves of energy and willpower he didn’t know he had.

These fights also shaped Du Plessis’s approach to training. After facing Adesanya, he knew he needed to sharpen his striking precision and footwork. Against Strickland and Tavares, he learned the value of conditioning—being able to push the pace even when his opponent refuses to slow down. Each opponent left a mark, not just on his record, but on his development as a fighter.

Looking ahead, Du Plessis knows the middleweight division is still full of dangerous opponents. But the lessons he learned from these fights have prepared him for whatever comes next. Whether it’s a technical mastermind like Adesanya or a relentless warrior like Strickland, Du Plessis has proven he can adapt and overcome. That’s what makes him a champion—and what makes these fights such an important part of his story.