Dricus du Plessis: Rising Star of UFC Middleweight Division
Dricus du Plessis, at the age of 30, has firmly established himself as a formidable contender in the UFC middleweight division. Hailing from South Africa, du Plessis has not only captured the middleweight title but has also solidified his position as one of the top fighters in the sport.
Du Plessis became the UFC middleweight champion after a series of impressive victories, culminating in a dramatic split decision win over Sean Strickland at UFC 297 in January. This victory added to a growing list of commendable performances, demonstrating his skill and determination inside the octagon.
Among the notable stops in his career are significant wins over accomplished fighters such as Darren Till, Derek Brunson, and Robert Whittaker. Each of these victories showcased du Plessis’s capacity to not only compete at the highest level but also to decisively dominate his opponents.
Perhaps the most remarkable achievement came in August at UFC 305, where du Plessis submitted former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in the fourth round using a face crank. This victory was a testament to his technical prowess and physical conditioning, further elevating his status in the UFC.
Currently, du Plessis is enjoying a five-fight win streak in the UFC, with six stoppage wins in his eight UFC bouts. Such consistent performance has rightfully earned him the fifth spot in the men's pound-for-pound rankings, highlighting his ascent in the sport.
Islam Makhachev: Dominant Force in the Lightweight Division
While du Plessis dominates the middleweight division, Islam Makhachev continues to reign supreme in the lightweight division. Makhachev, with a near-flawless record of 26-1, recently added another victory to his impressive resume by defeating Dustin Poirier at UFC 302. This win further cements his status as one of the most formidable fighters in his weight class.
Jon Jones: Setback and Anticipation
In the heavyweight division, Jon Jones, with a record of 27-1 and 1 no contest, faced an unexpected setback. He was scheduled to defend his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic last November, but a pectoral tear during training delayed the highly-anticipated bout. Fans eagerly await Jones's return to the octagon and the continuation of his illustrious career.
Alex Pereira: The Light Heavyweight Contender
Alex Pereira, competing in the light heavyweight division, has made significant strides with a record of 11-2. Pereira headlined UFC 300 in April and finished Jamahal Hill in a dominant performance. He followed this up with a knockout victory over Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303 in July, underscoring his striking prowess and earning him further acclaim.
Ilia Topuria: Unbeaten Featherweight Champion
Ilia Topuria remains undefeated in the featherweight division with a perfect record of 15-0. He recently finished Alexander Volkanovski within two rounds at UFC 298 in February, showcasing his exceptional skill set. Topuria is scheduled to defend his title against Max Holloway at UFC 308 in October. Holloway, who has a record of 26-7 and is on a three-fight win streak, presents a formidable challenge for the unbeaten champion.
Other Notable Fighters
In the welterweight division, Belal Muhammad is on an impressive 11-fight unbeaten streak, boasting a record of 24-4 with 1 no contest. Meanwhile, Sean O'Malley holds the bantamweight title with a record of 17-1 with 1 no contest, having defeated Marlon Vera at UFC 299.
In the flyweight division, Alexandre Pantoja and Alexa Grasso share championship honors. Pantoja's record stands at 28-5, while Grasso boasts a record of 16-3-1. Recently, Grasso's rematch with Valentina Shevchenko at Noche UFC ended in a split draw, adding another chapter to their storied rivalry. Shevchenko's record now stands at 23-4-1.
In the strawweight division, Zhang Weili continues to hold the title with a record of 25-3. Tatiana Suarez, who remains undefeated with a record of 10-0, recently submitted Jessica Andrade, further solidifying her position as a top contender. Manon Fiorot, with a record of 12-1, also made waves by defeating Erin Blanchfield by shutout decision.
The UFC landscape continues to evolve, with numerous fighters making significant strides in their respective divisions. As the sport grows, fans can look forward to more thrilling matchups and remarkable displays of martial prowess in the octagon.