Following a memorable victory in the UFC middleweight championship last weekend, Mercedes-Benz South Africa has continued to honor Dricus “Stillknocks” Du Plessis as a friend of the brand.
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Dricus recently took the title from Sean Strickland and made history as the first South African UFC champion with an impressive record of 9 knockouts and 10 submissions.
Du Plessis’ journey to greatness began with a standout victory at the 2012 WAKO Youth World Kickboxing Championship, maintaining an undefeated record of 33-0, including an extraordinary 30 knockouts. Consecutive wins led to EFC titles in 2016 and 2017, and he further cemented his dominance by claiming the Welterweight Championship in KSW in 2018.
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Du Plessis is currently ranked No. 1 in the world in the UFC on an eight-fight win streak and has risen rapidly since his debut in 2020. As a Friend of the Brand, you might be wondering which vehicle Dricus gets to drive. The first guesses with the fighter behind the wheel of a special Mercedes-Benz X-Class or G63 AMG would be wrong. Instead, Dricus has been in the latest, fully electric Mercedes-Benz EQE 43 AMG since October last year.
Mercedes-Benz SA explains that, contrary to the brutal expectations of an MMA fighter, the choice reflects a mix of strength and durability that matches Du Plessis’ personality and calm demeanor. The EQE 43 AMG doesn’t have that, as it packs 350 kW and 858 Nm and accelerates from 0-100 km in just 4.2 seconds, mirroring Du Plessis’ impactful performance in the ring.
Mercedes-Benz SA continues the Friends of the Brand tradition with Du Plessis and celebrates his historic UFC win. Chosen for its performance and durability, the EQE 43 AMG serves as a fitting companion for Du Plessis’ car journey as a valued Friend of the Brand.
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