WATCH: We interview Dricus du Plessis, who agrees to do stand-up comedy with Whackhead

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Tasleem Gierdien

15 August 2025 | 11:18

Dricus du Plessis catches up with Kfm Mornings ahead of his title defense on Sunday. Darren also offered Dricus a three-minute slot at his stand-up comedy special in October.

WATCH: We interview Dricus du Plessis, who agrees to do stand-up comedy with Whackhead

Du Plessis joined Kfm Mornings for an exclusive chat. 

First things first, Du Plessis still loves home, which is Pretoria.

The champ says he won't trade Pretoria, Afrikaans, his family and friends, the people and braaing without a license for any other country because 'it's home' and 'the best place on Earth'.

"As soon as I'm done after the fight, I'm back home... of all of the beautiful places I've had the privilege of seeing, there's nothing like getting off a plane once you set down in South Africa. It's the best."
- Dricus du Plessis, UFC Champion

Du Plessis will put his UFC middleweight championship title on the line when he faces long-time wrestler, Khamzat Chimaev, at UFC 319.

The fight, at the United Center in Chicago, takes place on Saturday, 16 August, and will be broadcast live on SuperSport Action and Maximo 1 at 4 am on Sunday, South African time. The exact time of the fight, though, will be determined by the length of the preliminary bouts on the night.

Du Plessis (23-2), who claimed the title with a split-decision victory over Sean Strickland in January 2024 and has not lost since October 2018, will attempt to knock Chimaev from the ranks of the unbeaten.

Du Plessis explains his mindset ahead of the match.

"... the more 'all-around' guy is going to be the better guy... If the fight gets to a position where it's going to be both outside, he's going to just try and wrestle. And that almost makes him desperate for one specific area... I'm not desperate for one area. And that's what I believe sets me apart in this sport is I do not prefer the ground game, the striking or anything. I'm there to see where this fight goes, and I'm able to fight there. And that's where my mindset's at."
- Dricus du Plessis, UFC Champion
"I'm not going in there to defend anything. I'm going there to attack. I'm the hunter. When I get in there, I'm not going to let him do his thing for one round. I'm going to go out there full speed and try and get him out there in the first round."
- Dricus du Plessis, UFC Champion

Du Plessis says every minute of a fight counts, and he gives it his all in every second.

"You can be winning that fight for the whole duration, then, in the last minute, get caught with one punch, and the fight's over, you lose; done... the fight is never over until it's over... You can win every round, and in the last minute of that fight, you get caught with something... one punch changes everything."
- Dricus du Plessis, UFC Champion
"... every single ounce of my being has been focused on this. I haven't even thought about any other opponents, any other career moves. As far as I'm concerned, my life ends this weekend... as far as any future plans, there are no plans..."
- Dricus du Plessis, UFC Champion

Du Plessis believes part of his success is due to his fight day ritual, which is walking out to Kurt Darren's 'Kaptein' before a match. 

Darren also challenged Du Plessis to his sold-out comedy show in October, and the champ accepted the challenge!

"It sounds like not the worst idea," says Du Plessis.

RELATED: Whackhead’s all-star comedy jam set to rock Grandwest this October!

Those of you who've already got tickets to the show, you're in for a treat!

Scroll up to watch the interview.

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