South Africa's Dricus du Plessis takes on Nigerian-New Zealander Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 on August 17/18 [depending on where you are in the world]. 'Stillknocks', the current middleweight champion, spoke to ESPN about his gym in Pretoria, his love for his country, and why he is Africa's champ. PRETORIA -- When South Africa's Dricus 'Stillknocks' du Plessis was awarded the UFC middleweight belt in January, beating Sean Strickland in a split decision, his first request was: 'Bring me my flag'.
Grabbing the Rainbow Nation's colours was a moment of symbolic significance for his gym, CIT Performance Institute in Pretoria, which he co-owns with longtime friends and training partners Claudia and JT Botha, and all the work they're doing to grow the sport at home. Stillknocks, sitting on a box jump cube, post-workout, told ESPN: "The flag represents to me that this is not just my title - this is the country's title - the flag represents the amazing support I've been getting, and we've been getting. "Because without these incredible fans, we don't have a job -- we don't have a sport.
Every time you get to a fourth or fifth round, your own personal goals and ego are not carrying you anymore. "It's that burning fire, that [national rugby team the Springboks] Bok fire -- the flag that you're representing on the biggest stage in the world. Those are the kind of things that pull you through -- when you are tired, when you are hurt, when you don't want to continue -- that make you refuse .