Here’s how much Dricus du Plessis banked as UFC middleweight champion

Where is South African MMA star Dricus du Plessis right now? Likely enjoying the rewards of a relentless rise to the top of the UFC. extract-html.com

The former UFC middleweight champion has kept a low profile since losing his belt to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 on 16 August 2025.

However, his legacy and hard-fought (pun-intended) earnings remain firmly intact.

Let’s take a look at how much he made during his reign as champion.

DRICUS DU PLESSIS HARD-EARNED CASH AS CHAMPION

Du Plessis made history as South Africa’s first UFC champion, turning success inside the octagon into serious financial gain.

He dethroned American Sean Strickland at UFC 297 in January 2024 to claim the middleweight title. From there, his value skyrocketed.

FIRST TITLE DEFENCE: ISRAEL ADESANYA PAYDAY

His first title defence came against Israel Adesanya – one of the sport’s biggest stars.

Du Plessis delivered a statement performance, forcing Adesanya to tap out in Round 4. Consequently, he secured both dominance and a major pay day.

Reports estimate his winnings at approximately $1.94 million, equating to around R33 million for the fight.

ALSO READ | DRICUS VS KHAMZAT 2.0? DDP VOWS TO WIN BACK UFC MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

SECOND TITLE DEFENCE: STRICKLAND REMATCH

Next came the rematch with Sean Strickland against the man he dethroned as champion.

Except this time Du Plessis’s earnings had quadrupled (from when he was challenge).

As reported on The South African, his base salary jumped from $300 000 as challenger to $1.2 million as champion.

In addition, he took home around $400 000 (R6.7 million) in pay-per-view bonuses, while sponsorship earnings added roughly $42 000 (R700 000).

Meaning, the now 32-year-old made close to R27 million for this fight as well.

DEFEAT, BUT A RECORD PAYDAY FOR ‘STILLKNOCKS’

Then came the setback against Chimaev.

It was a difficult night competitively. However, financially, it marked his biggest purse yet.

Du Plessis reportedly earned around $3 million – more than R50 million – in the bout.

This is by far the most Du Plessis has made from any fight – despite losing the belt in a lopsided fight which saw Chimaev win 50-44, 50-44, 50-44 on the judges’ scorecards.

THE FINAL TALLY DURING HISTORIC TITLE REIGN

So, what does that all add up to?

In total, Du Plessis earned well over R110 million (before tax) during his reign as UFC middleweight champion.

While we may not have seen him in action in well over eight months, make no mistake Du Plessis is plotting his return and a path back to the UFC – and middleweight champion for a second time.

Banyana Banyana have advanced to the second round of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games qualifiers after receiving a bye in the first round.

At a draw conducted in Cairo in Egypt on Wednesday, the South Africans were pitted against the winners between South Sudan and Madagascar who will get the ball rolling in the early stage of the competition.

The first round is scheduled to be played in June 2026 while the second round matches will be held in October this year.

‘Need to get back to the big stage’

“We haven’t been to the Olympic Games since 2016, and that is a long time ago. We need to get back to that big stage,” said Banyana Banyana coach coach Dr Desiree Ellis.

“Now that we have seen the draw, it will help us plan thoroughly for the qualifiers. But for now, we cannot lose focus of what is ahead of us, the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON 2026), which is equally important as it gives us the ticket to the World Cup in Brazil. We want to make it three in a row. Once the competition has concluded in Morocco, the entire focus will shift to the Olympic qualifiers.”

The qualifiers will be played over five rounds, with South Africa, Ghana and Nigeria exempted from the first round.

Round 3 will see the 16 teams battle it out in the two-legged qualifiers with the remaining eight teams advancing to the penultimate round.

After this phase, the final four teams will produce the last two standing that will represent Africa in the United States of America.

CAF Women’s Olympic Games Qualifying Dates

Round 1
1-9 June 2026

Round 2
5-13 October 2026

Round 3
23 February-6 March 2027

Round 4
4-12 October 2027

Round 5
23 November-4 December 2027

There are 35 nations taking part in the qualifiers with only two slots allotted the African continent at the Olympic Games which will run from 11 to 29 July 2028 in Los Angeles.

Le Borussia Dortmund s’apprête à écrire une nouvelle page de son rayonnement international avec une tournée estivale très attendue au Japon. Baptisée « tournée japonaise du BVB Evonik », cette escapade, prévue du 26 juillet au 2 août 2026, marquera le retour des Jaune et Noir au « Pays du Soleil Levant » après plusieurs passages remarqués ces dernières années. Le club allemand n’en est pas à sa première visite sur le sol nippon. Après des tournées à Tokyo en 2015 et 2017, puis un passage à Osaka en 2024, Dortmund confirme son attachement au marché asiatique et à ses supporters japonais toujours plus nombreux. Cette nouvelle tournée s’inscrit dans une volonté de renforcer ses liens sportifs et culturels dans la région. Point d’orgue de ce séjour, une affiche pleine d’émotion face à Cerezo Osaka. Prévu le 29 juillet 2026 au stade Yanmar Hanasaka d’Osaka, ce match amical sera marqué par des retrouvailles spéciales avec Shinji Kagawa, véritable légende du Borussia Dortmund. L’international japonais a en effet porté les couleurs du BVB à deux reprises (2010-2012 puis 2014-2019), laissant une empreinte durable grâce à son talent et son élégance sur le terrain. Toujours sous contrat avec le Cerezo Osaka, Kagawa incarne à lui seul le pont entre les deux clubs. Un partenariat lie d’ailleurs les deux formations, avec un accent particulier mis sur le développement et la formation des jeunes talents. Cette collaboration illustre la stratégie du Borussia Dortmund qui veut investir dans l’avenir tout en consolidant sa présence à l’international. Le premier août, les Marsupiaux feront face à Tokyo FC pour leur deuxième match en terre japonaise. Selon le communiqué du club, au-delà de l’aspect sportif, cette tournée sera également l’occasion pour Dortmund de renforcer son image de marque en Asie et de se rapprocher de sa base de fans locale. Avec deux matchs amicaux au programme, les hommes du BVB profiteront de cette préparation pour monter en puissance avant le début de la saison, tout en offrant un spectacle de qualité à leurs supporters japonais.

L’article Bundesliga : Le programme estival du Borussia Dortmund dévoilé est apparu en premier sur AfricaFootUnited.

Coup de maître pour Manchester United. Le club a officialisé la prolongation de contrat de Kobbie Mainoo jusqu’en juin 2031. A 21 ans, le milieu de terrain formé au club, héros de la finale de FA Cup 2024 et finaliste de l’Euro 2024 avec l’Angleterre, s’inscrit dans la durée à Old Trafford. Un signal fort envoyé par les Red Devils, qui blindent l’un des plus grands talents de sa génération. De Stockport à Old Trafford : le rêve devenu réalité Né à Stockport et supporter de Manchester United depuis l’enfance, Kobbie Mainoo est l’enfant du club. Associé aux Red Devils dès l’âge de six ans, il intègre le centre de formation en 2014 avant de gravir tous les échelons. « Manchester United a toujours été ma maison ; ce club si particulier représente tout pour ma famille », a confié le joueur. De The Cliff à Littleton Road, puis Carrington et enfin Old Trafford, son parcours force le respect. A seulement 21 ans, il compte déjà 98 apparitions sous le maillot mancunien et a marqué l’histoire en inscrivant le but décisif de la finale de FA Cup 2024. Un talent générationnel blindé pour cinq ans Manchester United n’a pas traîné pour sécuriser son joyau. Le nouveau contrat court jusqu’en juin 2031. Pour Jason Wilcox, directeur du football, Mainoo est « l’un des jeunes footballeurs les plus doués au monde ». « Ses compétences techniques, son professionnalisme exemplaire et son humilité font de lui un modèle parfait pour nos jeunes joueurs », ajoute le dirigeant. Le club compte sur lui pour incarner le futur , « Nous avons pleinement confiance qu’il deviendra l’un des meilleurs joueurs du monde, prêt à jouer un rôle central dans une équipe de Manchester United qui vise les plus grands honneurs ». « Jouer mon rôle pour les grands trophées » Finaliste de l’Euro 2024 avec l’Angleterre, Mainoo veut maintenant ramener United au sommet. « J’ai le privilège de vivre mon rêve au quotidien, avec la même soif de réussite qu’à mes six ans », explique le milieu de 21 ans. Conscient de l’attente, il assume : « Je suis très attentif à la responsabilité qui accompagne le port de ce maillot. On sent tous l’élan qui se crée au sein du club. Je suis déterminé à prendre mes responsabilités et à jouer mon rôle pour aider Manchester United à se battre régulièrement pour les grands trophées dans les années à venir ». Avec 98 matchs déjà au compteur, l’ère Mainoo ne fait que commencer.

L’article Manchester United : Kobbie Mainoo prolonge son bail jusqu’en 2031 est apparu en premier sur AfricaFootUnited.

Matchday 17 of the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) Premiership concluded with Nasarawa Amazons and Abia Angels completing the Super Six playoff field. Decisive results in Group B sealed the final two available spots in the season-ending championship race.

Nasarawa Amazons confirmed their place in the Super Six with a hard-fought 2–1 win over Sunshine Queens in Lafia. Chigozie Idika gave the visitors an early lead in the 10th minute, but Bibiana Odoh turned the game around with a quick-fire brace in the 46th and 51st minutes.

NWFL PREMIERSHIP TABLES AFTER MD 17

The 2026 Super Six finalists is now officially confirmed

Group A:
Bayelsa
Rivers
Edo

Group B:
Robo
Nasarawa
Abia

2 relegation spots still open in Group B
All eyes on MD18 #NWFL26 #NWFLPremiership26 #MD17 pic.twitter.com/Sb5NbmFnv6

— NWFL (@TheNWFL) April 30, 2026

Meanwhile, in Lagos, Abia Angels secured a historic, first-ever Super Six qualification after battling Dannaz Ladies to a goalless draw. The Umuahia side, coached by Adanna Nwaneri, holds third place with 28 points, while Dannaz Ladies sit seventh with 20 points.

Other Group B results

Delta Queens ended Remo Stars Ladies’ playoff hopes with an emphatic 3–0 victory in Asaba. Goals from Temitope Titilayo, Vweire Samson, and Rita Tsebee lifted Delta Queens to sixth place (22 points), while Remo Stars remain fourth (24 points).

Ahudiyannem Queens also beat Confluence Queens 3–0 away, with Mary Lucky scoring a first-half brace and Loveth Edeh adding a third in the 72nd minute. The win keeps Ahudiyannem fifth with 22 points, while bottom-placed Confluence Queens are now officially relegated.

Osun Babes boosted their slim survival hopes with a 1–0 win over FC Robo Queens in Ile-Ogbo, courtesy of Nofisat Tijani’s 36th-minute strike. They are ninth with 18 points and must win their final game while relying on other results to avoid the drop.

Group A matches

Defending champions Bayelsa Queens continued their dominant display at the top with a 2–0 victory over Heartland Queens in Yenagoa. Aminat Folorunsho opened the scoring in the 25th minute before Sofiat Bankole sealed the win in the 84th minute. Bayelsa now lead the group with 37 points and need just a draw in their final game to finish top.

Rivers Angels displayed fine form with a commanding 4–0 win over Ekiti Queens in Port Harcourt. Goals from Patience Otubo and Zainab Oduga, alongside a brace from Abasiofon Uwah, saw the Port Harcourt side move to second with 34 points.

Edo Queens missed the chance to strengthen their bid for the Super Six after being held to a 1–1 draw by Ibom Angels in Benin City.

Esther Inyang gave Edo the lead in the 54th minute before Jessica Mark equalized in the 83rd minute. Edo Queens remain third with 33 points.

Adamawa Queens consolidated fourth place with a 2–0 win over already relegated Naija Ratels, thanks to goals from Miracle Isioma Nwakolie and Ifeoma Damian.

Relegation battles

At the other end of the table, the relegation picture became clearer. Pacesetters Queens and Naija Ratels had already been confirmed down, alongside Castmog Ladies, who were expelled earlier in the season. Confluence Queens have now joined them following their heavy home defeat, while Osun Babes face a final-day battle for survival.

With one round of matches left in the regular season, the Super Six lineup is now complete. Nasarawa Amazons and Abia Angels emerge from Group B to join the race for the title, which also includes FC Robo Queens, Bayelsa Queens, Rivers Angels, and Edo Queens.