South Africa’s support for UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has taken a hit due to his recent endorsement of US President Donald Trump. The once-beloved champion is now facing backlash for his public support of Trump, which has led some South Africans to shift their support to his opponent, Sean Strickland.
The controversy surrounding Du Plessis started when he wore a t-shirt emblazoned with the words ‘Trump prefers champions’ during a press conference leading up to his upcoming fight against Strickland. In his defense, Du Plessis cited Trump’s preference for champions and praised fellow South African Elon Musk for “doing the right thing.”
However, Du Plessis’ comments have been met with criticism and accusations of being ill-informed. This backlash stems from Trump’s baseless claims about land confiscations in South Africa, which the President Cyril Ramaphosa clarified as a constitutional process aimed at equitable land distribution.
The champion’s support of Trump has been seen as endorsing misinformation, with right-wing groups like AfriForum seizing on his comments to further their agenda. This has led to calls for Strickland to beat Du Plessis in their upcoming fight and reclaim the championship belt.
Social media reactions have been swift, with many South Africans expressing disappointment in Du Plessis and pledging their support to Strickland. Some have even gone as far as encouraging Strickland to “moer” (beat) Du Plessis and take back the title.
In light of the controversy, Du Plessis’ once-strong support in South Africa has waned, with many now rooting for Strickland to emerge victorious in their upcoming fight. The champion’s decision to align himself with Trump has alienated a significant portion of his fan base and raised questions about his judgment and values.
As the UFC 312 main event approaches, all eyes will be on the Sydney Super Dome in Australia, where Du Plessis and Strickland will face off in a highly anticipated showdown. The outcome of the fight remains uncertain, but one thing is clear – Du Plessis’ actions have divided South Africans and cast a shadow over his once-illustrious career.
