Dricus Du Plessis was born on January 14, 1994, in Pretoria, South Africa. He is a South African national who began his MMA training at a young age, excelling in various combat sports, including kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Du Plessis made his professional MMA debut in 2013 and quickly gained recognition for his powerful striking and grappling skills. His early success in regional promotions in South Africa and Europe set the stage for his entry into the UFC