'Our Dricus will bliksem that oke'

GAYTON: MINISTER BACKS 'TRUE PATRIOT' AGAINST RUSSIAN

- Marizka Coetzer

Farmers, fighters and even the minister of sport are behind Dricus du Plessis, who is defending his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight title on Sunday against Russian Khamzat Chimaev in Chicago.

Du Plessis, also known as DDP and the first South African to win a UFC title, is aiming for his third successful defence against the undefeated Russian.

Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie said Du Plessis is one of the greatest champions South Africa has yet produced.

"He is a true patriot. I have no doubt in my mind that Dricus is going to bliksem Khamzat, goed bliksem," he said.

The fighters at CIT Performance Institute, where DDP trains, were also behind him.

Boxing coach Vusi Jokazi describes DDP as one of the greatest in MMA (mixed martial arts). "We don't get fazed by the hype of the fight, because we know ourselves; we are the champions. They want to take what is ours and we know how to defend what is ours.

"Our aim is to win and we know how to do it. We are not cocky; our record says a lot," Jokazi said.