Dricus Du Plessis praises Conor McGregor: “Every fighter should thank him”

The world of mixed martial arts (MMA) has seen many legends come and go, but few have had the same impact as Conor McGregor. Love him or hate him, the Irish superstar has revolutionized the sport in ways that extend far beyond the Octagon.

Recently, UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis shared his thoughts on McGregor, giving credit to the former double champ for elevating MMA to new heights.

“Whether you like him or not, you cannot deny what Conor has done for this sport. In my opinion, every fighter should thank him for increasing fighter pay, helping MMA grow, and bringing more attention to the sport.”

This statement from Du Plessis highlights a reality that many fighters acknowledge: McGregor changed the game.

The McGregor Effect: How He Transformed MMA

1. Revolutionizing Fighter Pay

Before McGregor’s rise, the UFC was already a popular promotion, but fighter salaries were nowhere near what they are today. While stars like Georges St-Pierre, Anderson Silva, and Jon Jones made significant money, the UFC was not known for paying its athletes as well as other major sports leagues.

McGregor, with his unmatched ability to sell fights, promote himself, and generate record-breaking pay-per-view sales, changed that.

• UFC 229: Khabib vs. McGregor set the record for the biggest PPV in UFC history, with 2.4 million buys.
• McGregor reportedly earned $100 million for his boxing match against Floyd Mayweather in 2017.
• He became the first UFC fighter to make the Forbes Highest-Paid Athletes list, ranking #1 in 2021 with estimated earnings of $180 million.

His financial success forced the UFC to pay its biggest stars more—a trend that benefits every high-level fighter today.

2. Making MMA Mainstream

Before McGregor, MMA was still struggling to break into mainstream sports culture. While the UFC had been growing steadily since its early days, it was McGregor’s larger-than-life personality that truly captured global attention.

His iconic trash talk, bold predictions, and charismatic presence drew millions of new fans to the sport. Whether people tuned in to watch him win or to see him lose, they watched—and that’s what made him so valuable to the UFC.

3. Inspiring Fighters to Think Like Businessmen

McGregor showed fighters that success isn’t just about winning fights—it’s about branding, promotion, and understanding the business side of MMA.

Before him, most UFC fighters relied solely on their fight purses. Now, thanks to McGregor, more athletes are:

• Negotiating bigger contracts with the UFC.
• Launching their own businesses and brands (Proper No. Twelve whiskey, McGregor FAST training program).
• Using social media to grow their fanbase and increase their marketability.

Fighters like Israel Adesanya, Khamzat Chimaev, Sean O’Malley, and even Dricus Du Plessis himself have all taken notes from McGregor’s playbook.

Dricus Du Plessis: The Next Big Superstar?

Following in McGregor’s Footsteps

Dricus Du Plessis may not have the same outspoken personality as McGregor, but he understands the importance of making an impact—both inside and outside the cage.

As the reigning UFC middleweight champion, Du Plessis has:

• Proven himself as an elite competitor, defeating top names like Sean Strickland and Robert Whittaker.
• Embraced his South African heritage, becoming a proud representative of his country.
• Engaged in heated rivalries, helping build excitement around his fights.

While he may not trash-talk like McGregor, Du Plessis is quickly becoming a must-watch fighter, and his rising popularity could make him a future PPV star.

Could McGregor’s influence lead to better fighter pay?

One of the biggest ongoing debates in MMA is fighter pay and revenue sharing.

While the UFC has increased fighter salaries over the years, many believe that athletes still deserve a larger share of the company’s massive profits.

McGregor’s influence has played a role in pushing for higher pay, but more fighters need to follow his example if real change is going to happen. Stars like Jon Jones, Francis Ngannou, and now Dricus Du Plessis speaking up about financial fairness could help pressure the UFC into making bigger changes.

What’s Next for McGregor and Du Plessis?

McGregor’s Return: Will He Fight in 2024?

Conor McGregor has not fought since his leg injury against Dustin Poirier in 2021, but he has repeatedly stated that he plans to return in 2024.

His likely opponent? Michael Chandler, who has been waiting for a fight since coaching against McGregor on The Ultimate Fighter 31.

If McGregor wins, he could make another run at the lightweight title, proving once again why he’s the biggest star in MMA history.

Du Plessis’ Title Defense: Who’s Next?

For Dricus Du Plessis, the road ahead is just as exciting. As the newly crowned middleweight champion, his potential opponents include:

• Khamzat Chimaev: The undefeated sensation looking for a title shot.
• Israel Adesanya—the former champion hungry for redemption.
• Sean Strickland (Trilogy Fight?): A possible third clash with his biggest rival.

Regardless of who he faces next, Du Plessis is positioning himself as one of the biggest stars in the sport—something that McGregor himself would surely respect.

Final Thoughts

Dricus Du Plessis’ praise for Conor McGregor is not just about admiration—it’s a recognition of the undeniable impact McGregor has had on the sport.

From increasing fighter pay to making MMA a mainstream spectacle, McGregor’s influence can be felt in every major UFC event today.

And as fighters like Du Plessis rise to stardom, they continue to benefit from the foundations McGregor helped build.

Love him or hate him, McGregor’s legacy is secure, and as Du Plessis said:

“Every fighter should thank him.”

The only question now is: Will McGregor make one last legendary run before calling it quits? Or will fighters like Du Plessis take over as the new faces of MMA?

The answers will come soon—inside the Octagon.