Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis are both big fans of Donald Trump.
Image: AFP
The brutal world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is not just about the brawls inside the octagon; it often spills into the realm of politics, where fighters become vocal about their political beliefs and affiliations.
It’s probably more so than any other sports code on the planet. You rarely find that footballers, rugby players or cricketers come out and pledge their political views or affiliations during their careers. Some do so after their time in the sun.
In South Africa, former Springboks coach Peter de Villiers once said he would be voting for the ANC when quizzed about making his mark ahead of an election. Former Olympic gold-medal swimmer Roland Schoeman, on the other hand, has been a fierce critic of the ANC, saying he would make for a better sports minister during Fikile Mbalula’s tenure.
But generally, most sportsmen and women in South Africa tend to touch on social issues rather than party politics.
The UFC, however, is a place where sports and politics regularly mix, especially right-wing politics. Two of its prominent figures, American Sean Strickland and South Africa's own Dricus du Plessis, have publicly come out and expressed their support for US president Donald Trump ahead of their fight at UFC 312 in Sydney, Australia on Sunday.
Strickland, renowned for his brash confidence, often courts controversy with his unabashed political views. In various interviews, he has aligned himself with Trump's ideology, even some of the more bizarre ideas and thoughts about the world.
Du Plessis, with his roots in South Africa, also stands alongside Strickland in rallying for Trump, citing a belief in the former president's leadership style.
This week Du Plessis flaunted a Trump t-shirt at a press conference, while he retweeted Trump’s baseless claims about expropriation of land act and seems to be on the same wave length as AfriForum’s leaders, who have been peddling lies about the supposed land grabs in the country.
But it’s not just the white white fighters who enjoy Trump, with veteran Jon Jones going viral for doing that “Trump dance” late last year after an event.
While Strickland and du Plessis's support for Trump is indicative of broader trends within the MMA community, it is also important to note the diversity of opinions that exist among fighters. Athletes such as Nate Diaz and Aljamain Sterling are known for their more progressive stances, illustrating that the sport encompasses a wide-ranging political spectrum.
But fighters from more conservative or traditionalist backgrounds may feel a stronger connection to Trump's rhetoric, which positions him, in their eyes, as a more direct and anti-establishment figure.
Fighters such as Strickland and Du Plessis, who are full of bravado and seem to crave the spotlight, also resonate with Trump's bluster and tough talk.
So it’s no coincidence that Trump is feeling the love in the UFC. But how does the average South African feel about Du Plessis peddling lies about what is actually happening in this country?
Du Plessis has an enormous platform and he has the right to speak his mind and freedom to align with whoever he wants. But he must not forget that people died for those rights and freedoms.
I’m sure those brave souls didn’t sacrifice their lives thinking a son of the soil will abuse it to drive false narratives about land being stolen and white people suffering.
But that is the game Du Plessis is playing and it’s starting to make a lot of sense why he is doing it.
@JohnGoliath82