Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Middleweight newcomer Dricus Du Plessis made a huge statement in his Octagon debut earlier tonight (Sat., Oct. 10, 2020) at UFC Fight Island 5 live on ESPN+ from inside Flash Forum in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E., as “Stillknocks” finished veteran Markus Perez via first-round knockout (punches). It is the first time Perez has been finished in his seven year career.
Du Plessis, a former KSW welterweight champion and EFC middleweight champion, brought a lot of hype with him into this debut. The 185-pound fight was expected to go a little longer given Perez’s durability and toughness, but Du Plessis unloaded with a left hook during an exchange in the first that sent “Maluko” crashing to the canvas. Du Plessis jumped on top for a barrage of strikes and the eventual knockout stoppage.
Check out the highlights above courtesy of UFC/ESPN.
With this performance, Du Plessis extends his current win streak to three and maintains a 100 percent finish rate for his career. The South African fighter looked comfortable and extremely dangerous against a gritty veteran in Perez so it will be very interesting to see how UFC books “Stillknocks” his next time out.
For complete UFC Fight Island 5 results and coverage click here.