SUMMARY
- Dricus du Plessis kissed his coach, Morne Visser, after defeating Sean Strickland at UFC 297.
- Much was said about du Plessis's relationship with his coach and their celebration but the South African paid no heed to those comments.
Dricus du Plessis got the better of Sean Strickland over 25 minutes in the Octagon at UFC 297 in Canada. The South African was crowned the new UFC Middleweight champion. There was a lot of buzz around whether he would kiss his coach if he won and du Plessis did not disappoint.
#UFC297 Official Scorecard: Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis 👇
All Scorecards ➡️: https://t.co/Dgf6RIXYJN pic.twitter.com/RdzXOrtCV6
— UFC News (@UFCNews) January 21, 2024
Du Plessis and Strickland had rough trash talk going between them pre-fight. It began during the UFC Seasonal Press Conference where Strickland questioned DDP’s relationship with his coach. The American pointed out the celebratory kiss they shared after their victories. Countering that, du Plessis talked about Strickland’s rough childhood.
That back-and-forth continued into the UFC 296 arena and concluded in a brawl in the crowd. Du Plessis had the option of pressing charges against Strickland but refused to do so to avoid endangering his title fight. Further, Strickland even threatened to stab du Plessis if he ever talked about his childhood.
Du Plessis’s response triggered Strickland but ‘Stillknocks’ showed composure when the American called him “gay”. Moreover, du Plessis went on to do the exact thing that was being made fun of. After hearing the decision that went his way 48-47, 48-47, and 47-48, he went and kissed his coach.
bro Daniel Cormier’s reaction is hilarious pic.twitter.com/RcPdAv1bUX
— ᴍᴍᴀ ᴍᴀʀᴄᴜs 🏝️ (@mmamarcuss) January 21, 2024
The UFC Middleweight champion is extremely connected to his South African roots. He showed that during his post-fight Octagon interview. According to another South African fighter, the kiss is part of their culture and not something that is frowned upon in their nation.
Dricus du Plessis calmly addressed the issues surrounding his sexuality before UFC 297
Du Plessis was asked about the air surrounding his sexuality due to Strickland’s comments. Stillknocks, during UFC 297 media day, said, “You are talking about me kissing other dudes? I have more photos. I have posted them online I don’t care. Do you think I care? I’m completely comfortable with my sexuality.”
Moreover, he talked about his girlfriend and clarified his sexuality as a straight man, “Have you seen my girl? So I don’t care about that. I’m going to keep kissing my coach, kissing my dad, kissing my brothers, so what.”
Earlier, when du Plessis shared a kiss on the lips with his coach, Morne Visser, after his win over Robert Whittaker, the footage went viral. Many fans asked why he would do that because there seemed to be a cultural difference.
Another South African UFC fighter, Cameron Saaiman, engaged in similar celebrations. He said it is a part of their culture. “Well, that’s how we were brought up,” said Saaiman.
The bantamweight fighter considered it a normal thing. He added, “In African culture, we were brought up to greet our father or grandfather with a kiss, and a hug was considered a normal thing.“
Following his win over Strickland, du Plessis became the first South African UFC champion. His country celebrated the victory along with him.