UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has carved out a reputation as one of the most relentless and dangerous fighters in the 185-pound division. His rise to the top has been marked by unrelenting pressure, devastating power, and a refusal to accept defeat—traits that have taken him from a doubted newcomer to one of the longest-reigning active champions in the UFC.
The South African powerhouse is now closing in on his third title defense, with a highly anticipated showdown against undefeated phenom Khamzat Chimaev set to headline UFC 319 this Saturday. While Chimaev is widely considered Du Plessis’ toughest challenge yet, the reigning champion knows a thing or two about walking through fire to emerge victorious.
In fact, Du Plessis points to a fight from 2022—before his title reign began—as one of the hardest battles of his career. It was during International Fight Week at UFC 276 that he faced middleweight veteran Brad Tavares in what would become a brutal three-round war.
The Night Du Plessis Met Tavares’ Iron Will
Heading into UFC 276, Du Plessis was still making his case as a legitimate contender. Critics had often dismissed his awkward but aggressive fighting style, doubting whether it would hold up against elite competition. But against Tavares, he delivered a performance that silenced many of those doubts while simultaneously earning deep respect for his opponent.
The fight, held on a stacked card headlined by Israel Adesanya’s victory over Jared Cannonier and Alexander Volkanovski’s trilogy win over Max Holloway, was anything but one-sided. Du Plessis came out firing, bringing his trademark forward pressure and heavy strikes. In the second round, he landed a vicious knee that appeared to crush Tavares’ nose—a moment that had fans wincing across the arena and on screens around the world.
Blood poured from Tavares’ face, but the Hawaiian refused to back down. Instead of folding under the damage, he continued to march forward, throwing punches and making Du Plessis work for every exchange.
“You have the toughest motherf-—r in the world right here in your town,” Du Plessis said in his post-fight interview, acknowledging the grit and resilience of his opponent.
Despite the gruesome injury and a barrage of strikes from the former KSW champion, Tavares survived all three rounds, forcing Du Plessis to the judges’ scorecards. The decision went to the South African, but it was clear that both men had left a lasting impression on the fans.
Fans Give Tavares His Flowers
In the aftermath of UFC 276, it wasn’t only Du Plessis praising Tavares. MMA fans took to social media to express their admiration for the Hawaiian’s toughness, comparing his injury to Mike Perry’s famously broken nose against Vicente Luque.
“That fight was killer. Tavares looked to have better cardio with a broken nose but Du Plessis just didn’t let up. What a banger,” one fan wrote.
Others echoed similar sentiments:
“Hell of a chin.”
“Tavares is tough as nails. Du Plessis battered him for the duration of 3 rounds. He also busted Brad’s nose wide open.”
“Let’s give some love to Brad Tavares. Imagine how much heart and toughness it takes to sit there taking bombs from Du Plessis on your broken nose over and over. Beast.”
“Du Plessis doing reconstructive surgery on Tavares nose.”
“Well … Du Plessis vs. Tavares was bonkers. Tavares will have a new nose after this one. But did he do enough for the decision? I think it goes to Du Plessis.”
“Tavares took a serious Mike Perry style knee that crushed his nose and he’s still going strong.”
These reactions weren’t just about the damage—it was the refusal to quit that won over the crowd. For many, Tavares’ performance was a reminder that sometimes a fighter’s legacy isn’t built only on wins, but on the grit they show when the odds are stacked against them.
A Pivotal Step Toward Championship Gold
Looking back, the fight with Tavares marked a key turning point in Du Plessis’ journey. Not only did he add another win to his record, but he also proved that his style—often criticized as unorthodox—could break down even the most battle-hardened opponents.
From there, Du Plessis would go on to take out some of the biggest names in the division. He dethroned Israel Adesanya, defeated Robert Whittaker, and edged Sean Strickland in a close contest to claim and defend the belt. Each fight seemed to solidify his claim to middleweight greatness, but the war with Tavares remains a testament to his ability to persevere when the going gets tough.
Now, as UFC 319 approaches, the South African champion faces an entirely different kind of threat in Khamzat Chimaev. The undefeated Chechen-born star has bulldozed his way through multiple divisions, overwhelming opponents with his suffocating wrestling and relentless pace. Many see this as the fight that could either cement Du Plessis as one of the best middleweights ever—or bring his reign to a sudden end.
But for Du Plessis, memories of wars like the one with Tavares serve as a reminder that he can dig deep and push through adversity when it matters most. If Chimaev wants to take his belt, he’ll have to walk through the same storm that so many before him couldn’t survive.
Whether UFC 319 ends in another Du Plessis triumph or a new champion being crowned, one thing is certain: fights like the one against Brad Tavares have helped shape the man who now stands at the top of the middleweight mountain.