In the lead up to Dricus du Plessis’ successful title defence against Sean Strickland this past weekend, the UFC superstar stirred up a ferocious debate after wearing a T-shirt with the words “Trump prefers champions” before going on to explain his support for the US President, as well as Elon Musk.
The decision to show support for Trump came just as he withdrew aid from South Africa, citing his anger with South Africa’s controversial Expropriation Act.
In addition to his show of support for the US President, Du Plessis also gave a ‘shout out’ to Elon Musk, who has become the right-hand man to Trump in many ways.
“With everything going on right now, change is coming, good changes. Big shout-out to fellow South African Elon Musk for also doing the right thing. Trump prefers champions.
“With Trump being re-elected, which is absolutely incredible, I think he’s an amazing, amazing president. I’ve had the privilege of meeting him,” Du Plessis added.
Although these apparent views from Du Plessis may be primarily rooted in his political and cultural beliefs, it may have also been at least somewhat strategic.
The UFC is no different to many combat sports that thrive off controversial storylines and strong opinions that help make headlines and draw attention to the sport.
In one interview leading up to UFC312, Du Plessis even admitted that he felt like he actually became two different people when comparing the Dricus who is training for a fight to the Dricus who is far more relaxed afterwards.
Put it this way, the Dricus du Plessis who fired off a range of insults at Sean Strickland prior to the bout stood starkly in contrast to the Dricus du Plessis who could be seen laughing and joking with the American once the fight night hype was over.
I don’t doubt that Du Plessis is a supporter of Trump and Musk, perhaps to a very large degree, but he certainly also knows the importance of targeting certain markets that can benefit him in the long run.
He may have lost some supporters here and there from South Africa, but he definitely ‘captured’ some attention in the US market, which really is prime territory when it comes to the UFC and the PPV (pay-per-view) audience.
You don’t have to agree with the views of Dricus on Trump and Musk
Even Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie notably came out to support the South African champ, and insisted a difference of opinion would not make him change his mind.
“A champion representing South Africa on international stage entering the ring wearing SA flag, I must now not support him because he did or said something I or you disagree with, you guys have gone mad. Well done Dricus du Plessis,” Gayton McKenzie wrote on X.
At the end of the day, a UFC star like Du Plessis knows how to play the game both inside and outside the octagon.
He has a powerful platform to share his viewpoints, but there is definitely more at play than just simple politics.
WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF THE COMMENTS MADE BY DDP?
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