Dricus Du Plessis Becomes First South African UFC Champion

Du Plessis' Victory at UFC 297 Opens New Opportunities for the UFC, Despite Contested Outcome

Dricus Du Plessis won the middleweight title at UFC 297, becoming South Africa's first-ever UFC champion.
Despite a contested outcome, Du Plessis' win opens up new opportunities for the UFC, including potential expansion into the African market.
Du Plessis has challenged former champion Israel Adesanya for a title fight, a matchup defined by a personal feud between the two fighters.
Former champion Sean Strickland has been criticized for his controversial remarks and behavior, posing a potential public relations risk for the UFC.
Raquel Pennington won the women's bantamweight title at UFC 297, with a potential title defense against Julianna Peña.