UFC middleweight contender Dricus Du Plessis recently responded to trash talk from his opponent Sean Strickland, who mocked Du Plessis for kissing men in photos.
In an interview ahead of their UFC 297 main event, Du Plessis made it clear that he is completely comfortable with his sexuality and won’t be bothered by Strickland’s attempts to rattle him.
“He’s talking about me kissing other dudes. I have more photos. I post them online. I don’t care,” Du Plessis said. “Does he think I care? I’m completely comfortable with my sexuality. Have you seen my girl? My guy.”
Dricus du Plessis is rumored to be in a relationship with fellow South African Nastassja Ras, a model and former reality TV star.
Strickland had brought up photos of Du Plessis kissing male family members and friends as a way to get under his skin during the pre-fight build up. But Du Plessis shrugged it off and reaffirmed his confidence.
“I don’t feel like people are saying, ‘Oh, that’s gay.’ So what? I don’t care. I love those people. That’s my family,” Du Plessis stated.
The South African explained that there’s nothing Strickland could say to rattle him mentally before their championship fight.
UFC’s Paulo Costa urges MMA to stay gay after Du Plessis’ homoerotic antics with coach go viral
“There’s nothing he can say that has any effect on me. I’m the mentally strongest fighter in the world,” Du Plessis declared.
By addressing the kissing photos head on and asserting his self-assurance, Du Plessis is taking away Strickland’s potential ammunition. The two rivals will settle their differences inside the Octagon on Saturday night.
But Du Plessis has already neutralized Strickland’s strategy of using sexuality to gain a mental edge. The confident middleweight contender won’t be fazed.