Dricus du Plessis, South Africa's first UFC champion, is not one to stay down for long. After a comprehensive loss to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319, du Plessis has taken to social media to declare his intentions for a glorious comeback. In a heartfelt post on Instagram, du Plessis expressed his acceptance of the defeat but also issued a stern warning to his critics.

"I embrace this loss with open arms," du Plessis wrote. "Believe me, as much as I hate losing, it's as much a part of life as it is of our game. I believe it's necessary in my pursuit of greatness. 'Without the bitter, the sweet wouldn't be as sweet.'"

Du Plessis, known by his nickname 'Stillknocks', emphasized that this loss has only fueled his desire to return stronger. "This loss has exploded a desire in me that will have the consequence of an onslaught bigger than the original domination - my return to glory and pursuit of greatness will be unimaginable for the average minded," he stated.

He also took the time to congratulate Chimaev on his victory, acknowledging the Chechen fighter's superior skills on the night. "The man has incredible control on top. It wasn't a matter of strength, it wasn't physical, it was almost like he knew what your next move was," du Plessis admitted. "I could almost taste that victory [with the choke in round 5], but he beat me fair and square. He was the better man tonight. I'll be coming to get my belt back, but for now, it's his. He deserves it."

Du Plessis first claimed the middleweight UFC championship in January 2024 by defeating Sean Strickland. He successfully defended his title against Israel Adesanya in August 2024 and again against Strickland in February 2025. However, his third title defense against Chimaev did not go as planned, with Chimaev dominating all five rounds and securing a unanimous decision victory.

Despite the setback, du Plessis remains determined. "Make no mistake, I'm not a good loser, because a good loser becomes a frequent one. I am, however, an avid learner of the arts and of life itself," he concluded. Fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see if du Plessis can make good on his promise and reclaim his place at the top of the UFC middleweight division.