UFC analysis: How South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis built an unstoppable legacy
Dricus du Plessis has spent his entire career proving people wrong. Few fighters have changed the landscape of a sport in their home country quite like ‘DDP’.
As South Africa’s first UFC champion, he has become more than just an elite mixed martial artist, inspiring a new generation of fighters while establishing himself as one of the most dominant competitors in the middleweight division.
From critics questioning his unconventional fighting style to doubters dismissing his championship credentials, the South African has answered almost every challenge in the octagon.
Now, as one of the UFC’s biggest stars, ‘DDP’ is doing more than fiercely representing his country - he is reshaping the legacy of African mixed martial arts, writes Sports News Blitz’s Juliette White.
UFC analysis: Five things Dricus du Plessis proved in his dominant win over Kamaru Usman
Dricus du Plessis returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion with a unanimous decision victory over former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman at UFC Oklahoma City.
The South African controlled much of the five-round contest, earning scorecards of 50-45 and 49-46 twice after producing one of the most complete performances of his career.
It was a display that drew praise even from former rival Israel Adesanya, who described it as the best he has seen from Du Plessis.
Sports News Blitz’s MMA expert Aidan Leo unpacks five major takeaways from a performance that could reshape the UFC middleweight division.
UFC 329 analysis: Reaction to Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway; Paddy Pimblett’s win and more
The UFC hosted one of their most-anticipated events of the year on July 12, which produced the biggest gate of all time: UFC 329, at T-Mobile arena in Las Vegas Nevada.
The headliner of the event saw the return of the biggest star in mixed martial arts, Conor McGregor, take on the surging contender Max Holloway in a long-awaited rematch after the Irishman won via unanimous decision 13 years ago.
Rising superstar Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett took on the relentlessly violent, French ex-soldier Benoit Saint-Denis.
MMA opinion: Reflecting on Jiri Prochazka’s tough road back to the title
Jiri Prochazka will take on surging contender Carlos Ulberg in the main event of UFC 327 on Saturday, April 11 for the vacant undisputed light heavyweight title.
The title is available after former champ Alex Pereira vacated the belt. Prochazka will be looking to reclaim gold in his third attempt since injury forced his hand in 2022.
Sports News Blitz’s Freddie Thomas-Neher takes a look back at his rocky road back to gold.
MMA opinion: Five pathways ahead for Israel Adesanya after tough loss
Saturday night saw the former middleweight king Israel Adesanya fall to a fourth-consecutive loss after his defeat to American Joe Pyfer.
Fans, critics and even the man himself have mentioned retirement, but after an impassioned post-fight interview, the stage looks set for Adesanya to find his way back into the cage.
Sports News Blitz writer Freddie Thomas-Neher takes a closer look at how ‘The Last Stylebender’ can move forward.
MMA analysis: Return of the King - The heavyweight fight the UFC can’t make
Francis Ngannou has had one of the most surprising careers in MMA, breaking free of the UFC’s constraints and fighting some of the world’s top boxers.
Now with a contract signed, May 16 will mark The Predator’s much anticipated return to the sport that made him great .
Sports News Blitz writer Ollie Hughes discusses the career of the most devastating puncher in UFC history.
MMA opinion: UFC Freedom 250 - Could it be any more of a disaster?
With the announcement of the UFC’s ‘Freedom 250’ card, the promotion aims to bring the sport to the masses on ‘Flag Day’, a celebration of American independence aligned with the adoption of the ‘stars and stripes’ as the country’s emblem.
The card was announced on the UFC 326 broadcast and will feature a headline unification bout between the returning Ilia Topuria and interim champion Justin Gaethje, as well as Alex Pereira moving up to heavyweight for a shot at a title in a third weight class.
A widespread outcry of confusion, disappointment and indifference has followed, with many feeling the card, originally described as a ‘full event’, has been dramatically oversold to them.
Sports News Blitz’s Freddie Thomas-Neher offers his thoughts on the card.
MMA analysis: When two belts become one problem
Winning belts in two different divisions is still the peak of achievement in MMA.
But with champs seemingly all too eager to move up, and less willing to defend at their own weight class, the UFC is having a hard time keeping divisions moving.
Sports News Blitz writer Ollie Hughes discusses the problems that arise when every champ is striving for a second belt.
MMA opinion: Will Sean Strickland have a chance at middleweight gold again?
Sean Strickland is a controversial figure in the world of MMA.
The former middleweight champion pulled off one of the biggest upsets in UFC history after his win against Israel Adesanya in 2023.
But does he still have the skills to take back the belt from Khamzat Chimaev? Sport News Blitz writer Cameron Cleugh gives his opinion.
MMA opinion: Why is Tom Aspinall being vilified after getting fouled?
The controversy coming out of the UFC 321 main event has been shrouded in volatile discussion ever since Ciryl Gane’s infamous eye-poke foul on Tom Aspinall saw the referee call the fight.
But why should the incumbent champion face criticism?
Sports News Blitz writer Freddie Thomas-Neher shared his thoughts on the debate.
MMA news: Is the UFC building Paddy Pimblett’s star power with easy fights?
Paddy Pimblett is a controversial figure within the MMA community, with some seeing him as the UFC’s next massive star. However, since his clash with Tony Ferguson, his resume has left a lot to be desired.
This resume includes King Green, Michael Chandler and now Justin Gaethje.
It is starting to feel like the UFC is giving Pimblett fighters who are past their prime with massive star power to build his credibility and boost his status easily, writes Sports News Blitz’s Cameron Cleugh.
MMA opinion: One promotion, one story - Exploring the UFC’s narrative machine
The UFC is one of the biggest and most lucrative brands on the planet - and its press machine is well oiled thanks to the all-seeing eye of Dana White.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Ollie Hughes takes a look at how the UFC controls the narrative better than any other sports league.
MMA opinion: Right wing, left hook: How politics took hold of the UFC
The UFC has never been more popular, but its growing political ties have made fight nights feel like something very different from pure sport.
3:30am on a Saturday night. It’s not easy being a UK MMA fan, but this is business as usual for those dedicated few.
You’ve set an alarm, or maybe completely shifted your sleeping pattern to be awake for the UFC’s big numbered event taking place somewhere in the States.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Ollie Hughes offers his thoughts on how the political sphere has intertwined with the UFC.