DRICUS DU PLESSIS VERTEENWOORDIG SA IN CHICAGO

Shanell Binedell

@shanell_lalalal

 

Suid-Afrika se eie MMA-kampioen, Dricus Du Plessis, is gereed om weer sy land se trots hoog te hou wanneer hy die bekende Khamzat Chimaev in Chicago teëkom. Hierdie hoogs verwagte geveg sal die Middleweight-titel vir die derde keer beslis, nadat Du Plessis sy vorige teenstander, Streicher, oortuigend in 2024 geklop het.

 

Alhoewel die presiese tye nog nie amptelik bevestig is nie, is die voorlopige datum vir die geveg Saterdag, 16 Augustus by die United Center in Chicago. Volgens die amptelike MMA-webtuiste begin die hoofkaart om 22h00 (Oos-tyd), wat beteken dat aanhangers in die Verenigde Koninkryk reeds moet inskakel om 03h00 op Sondagoggend.

 

’n Artikel deur South African News, gepubliseer op 24 April 2025, het egter twyfel gesaai oor of Du Plessis wel aan die geveg sou deelneem, weens ’n beweerde besering. Volgens veteraan MMA-joernalis Kevin Iole, is daar berig dat Du Plessis ’n besering opgedoen het, wat Chimaev laat glo het dat die Suid-Afrikaner moontlik probeer om die geveg te vermy.

 

Die sportplatform Givemesport het egter op 7 Mei 2025 berig dat die geveg steeds op koers is. Du Plessis het hulle vertel:“It’s going to be happening in the next couple of months, maximum four months. It’s going to happen one of these days. Nothing is signed, but I’ve already agreed to any date. Any date that they gave me, I said, ‘Cool. Ready. Let’s do it.’”

 

Du Plessis geniet wye ondersteuning van regoor Suid-Afrika, met selfs bekendes wat agter hom staan. Een van sy grootste ondersteuners is die gewilde Afrikaanse kunstenaar Jack Parow, bekend vir sy rofgesnyde lirieke en unieke styl.

 

Parow het onlangs aangekondig dat hy op 8 Augustus ’n nuwe enkelsnit vrylaat, getiteld DDP – ’n direkte verwysing na Dricus Du Plessis. Die lirieke beskryf Du Plessis as ’n ware kampioen en as “kliphard gepak soos ’n baksteenmuur”. Parow het die liedjie op sy sosiale media bevorder met die woorde: “Dedicated to my chommie @dricusduplessis ahead of his fight – GOOI THIS TRACK LEKKER @ LOUD wherever you are, at home, work, traffic – LET’S GO MENSE!!!”

 

In ’n ander plasing het Parow ’n foto van sy paspoort gedeel met die opskrif “Chicago, let’s go!”, en bevestig dat hy persoonlik in die VSA sal wees om Du Plessis te ondersteun tydens sy volgende titelstryd.

 

Met die geveg net om die draai, hou Suid-Afrika asem op vir nog ’n historiese oomblik in MMA-geskiedenis – en die hele land is gereed om vir hul kampioen te skree.

 

‘n Foto van Dricus Du Plessis wat sy middelgewiggordel vashou (Bron: The South African)

Teksversorging deur Simoné de Witt

 

English Translation:

 

South Africa’s own MMA champion, Dricus Du Plessis, is ready to once again uphold his country’s pride when he faces the famous Khamzat Chimaev in Chicago. This highly anticipated fight will decide the Middleweight title for the third time, after Du Plessis convincingly defeated his previous opponent, Streicher, in 2024.

 

Although the exact times have not yet been finalized, the provisional date for the fight is Saturday, August 16 at the United Center in Chicago. According to the official MMA website, the main fight starts at 22h00 (Eastern Time), which means fans in the United Kingdom will have to tune in at 03h00 on Sunday morning.

 

An article by South African News, published on 24 April 2025, casts doubt on whether Du Plessis would actually participate in the fight, due to an alleged injury. According to veteran MMA journalist Kevin Iole, it has been reported that Du Plessis sustained an injury, which led Chimaev to believe that the South African might be trying to avoid the fight.

 

The sports platform Givemesport reported on 7 May 2025 that the fight is still on track. Du Plessis told them,”It’s going to be happening in the next couple of months, maximum four months. It’s going to happen one of these days. Nothing is signed, but I’ve already agreed to any date. Any date that they gave me, I said, ‘Cool. Ready. Let’s do it.’”

 

Du Plessis enjoys widespread support from all over South Africa, with even celebrities backing him. One of his biggest supporters is the popular Afrikaans artist Jack Parow, known for his rough-cut lyrics and unique style.

 

Parow recently announced that he will release a new single titled DDP on August 8, a direct reference to Dricus Du Plessis. The lyrics describe Du Plessis as a true champion and as ‘rockhard, packed like a brick wall’. Parow promoted the song on his social media with the words, “Dedicated to my buddy @dricusduplessis ahead of his fight – TURN THIS TRACK UP LOUD wherever you are, at home, work, traffic – LET’S GO PEOPLE!!!”

 

In another post, Parow shared a photo of his passport with the caption “Chicago, let’s go!” and confirmed that he will be personally in the USA to support Du Plessis during his next title fight. With the fight just around the corner, South Africa holds its breath for yet another historic moment in MMA history – and the whole country is ready to cheer for their champion.

 

A picture of Dricus Du Plessis holding his Middleweight belt (Source: The South African)

Translated by Simoné de Witt