In the high-stakes world of professional mixed martial arts, where every punch and every word carries weight, psychological warfare is as potent a weapon as any physical strike. UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus du Plessis, known for his unyielding fight style and equally unyielding personality, has once again demonstrated his prowess in the verbal arena. His latest target? Long-time rival Brendan Allen, who found himself on the receiving end of the champion`s calculated `generosity` just hours before a pivotal fight at UFC 318.
The champion`s message, delivered via social media, was deceptively simple: “I’m sending you some of my luck tonight, you need it more than me.” For the uninitiated, this might seem like a benign, even supportive gesture. However, given the bitter history between the two middleweights, it was a perfectly timed jab, dripping with irony and designed to twist the knife. Allen, currently on a two-fight losing streak, faces Marvin Vettori in a high-pressure bout, making Du Plessis`s `gift` a cruel reminder of his recent struggles.
A Grudge Forged in Irony and Tattoos
The animosity between Du Plessis and Allen is not a recent development; it`s a simmering feud that dates back years, stemming from an encounter at Sanford`s Kill Cliff FC gym. The South African champion, with a characteristic lack of filter, reportedly quipped about Allen’s religious tattoo, asking if the “1:2-7” ink represented his mixed martial arts record. This seemingly innocuous joke struck a nerve, laying the groundwork for a rivalry that has since played out across interviews and social media.
Allen, `All In` by moniker, has never shied away from criticizing Du Plessis. Notably, he questioned the legitimacy of Du Plessis`s rapid ascent to the middleweight title, particularly after the champion`s victory over Robert Whittaker. Allen asserted that Du Plessis had benefited from an “easy road” and even suggested his wins were tinged with considerable “luck.”
“Some of those were lucky. Marcus Perez, (Du Plessis) was losing that fight, and (Perez) was beating him so easily that he threw a spinning back elbow at the same time that (Du Plessis) was throwing a body shot and hit him in the chin. I don’t think it gets any more lucky than that.”
Such accusations, particularly from a fellow contender, are rarely forgotten in the competitive landscape of the UFC. Du Plessis, it seems, has a long memory.
The Champion`s Revenge: A Calculated Retort
With Allen now navigating his first professional losing skid, Du Plessis has seized the perfect opportunity to echo Allen`s past remarks. The champion`s social media missive was not just about `luck`; it was a direct continuation of their personal vendetta, explicitly stating his support for Allen`s opponent, Marvin Vettori, because “Brendan’s always been a d— to me and it seems like I was right about the tattoo.”
This isn`t the first time Du Plessis has reveled in Allen`s misfortunes. Following Allen`s loss to Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Paris, Du Plessis delivered another sharp barb, initially feigning support before dropping the facade with a blunt “JK you suck loser.” Such consistent mockery highlights a champion deeply invested in the psychological dimension of combat, content to needle his rivals even outside the octagon.
The Stakes at UFC 318: More Than Just a Win
For Brendan Allen, his bout against Marvin Vettori at UFC 318 is more than just an attempt to break a losing streak. It is a critical juncture that will either silence the champion`s taunts or amplify them. A victory against a respected former title challenger like Vettori would not only re-establish Allen`s standing in the middleweight division but also provide him with the much-needed leverage to push for a future grudge match against `Stillknocks`.
Conversely, a third consecutive loss would undoubtedly trigger an even more aggressive barrage of mockery from Du Plessis, cementing the champion`s verbal dominance and further diminishing Allen`s immediate title aspirations. The narrative of `luck` and `easy roads` would then firmly rest on Allen`s shoulders, a heavy burden indeed.
In the unpredictable theater of the UFC, the fight before the fight often defines the landscape. Dricus du Plessis, with his sharp wit and strategic trolling, ensures that the middleweight division remains a hotbed of personal drama, compelling us to watch not just for the knockouts, but for the intricate mind games played long before the cage door closes.
