Dricus “Stillknocks” du Plessis may have lost his UFC middleweight championship belt to Khamzat Chimaev over the weekend at UFC 319 in Chicago, but the South African star has very little reason to hang his head. While the sting of defeat will linger, his bank balance tells a much happier story.
For stepping into the octagon as the reigning champion, Du Plessis earned a staggering $3 million – more than R52 million – in guaranteed pay, pay-per-view shares, and promotional bonuses. His base purse of $1 million was bolstered by an additional $1–1.5 million in PPV revenue and sponsorship-related add-ons. Had he retained his title, the payday would have been even sweeter, with an extra $500,000 (R8.8 million) on the line.
This isn’t the first time Stillknocks has cashed in big on UFC nights. At UFC 312, where he successfully defended his title against Sean Strickland, he banked $3.34 million (almost R59 million). Before that, his high-profile clash with Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 netted him $1.9 million (around R21 million). His initial title victory at UFC 297 over Strickland earned him R7.6 million – a figure that already dwarfed his early-career fight purses.
By comparison, in his first UFC outings, Du Plessis earned approximately $50,000 (just under R1 million) per fight, including show money and win bonuses. Even his impressive victory over former champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 290 reportedly brought in just $250,000 (R4.5 million). The meteoric rise in his earnings over the last two years reflects not only his success in the cage but also his growing star power.
Altogether, Du Plessis is estimated to have earned between R138 million and R147 million over his last four fights, with his career UFC earnings over five years now sitting at around R160 million. These numbers highlight how far he’s come from his early days on the South African MMA circuit to becoming one of the UFC’s most bankable stars.
Of course, money aside, UFC 319 was a night to forget in competitive terms. Chimaev dominated from start to finish, showing why many consider him one of the most dangerous fighters on the planet. Du Plessis looked out of sorts and was unable to impose his usual pressure or striking rhythm. The result was a one-sided affair that ended with Stillknocks surrendering the title he worked so hard to earn.
A quick rematch seems unlikely, with the UFC probably keen to line Chimaev up for blockbuster defenses instead. But Du Plessis remains one of the top middleweights in the world, and his track record proves he can bounce back. Former champion and UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier even weighed in, admitting on his YouTube channel that it was disappointing to see what Du Plessis produced – though he acknowledged the South African remains a legitimate threat in the division.
While the loss hurts his legacy in the short term, Du Plessis’ financial windfall ensures he remains one of the biggest winners of the night. His combination of skill, charisma, and marketability guarantees more opportunities – both inside the octagon and at the negotiating table.
For Stillknocks, the belt may be gone for now, but the future remains as bright as ever – with more massive paydays surely on the horizon.
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