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 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 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 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 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.