In the high-stakes world of the UFC middleweight division, few have navigated a champion's gauntlet quite like Dricus Du Plessis. "Stillknocks" has built a legendary resume, securing victories over elite former titleholders like Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya, and defeating Sean Strickland twice while successfully defending his own championship.

Having shared the Octagon with the very best at 185 pounds, Du Plessis recently broke down his most formidable opponents, drawing a clear distinction between technical brilliance and sheer toughness.

When asked to name the most skilled fighter he's ever faced, Du Plessis pointed to a former rival. "Adesanya was the best guy that I faced just in terms of everything he did," he stated. "His timing, the speed, the power he kicks with, even takedown defense-wise, everything. He was the best technical guy that I've ever faced."

However, the title of "toughest" opponent—the one who could absorb the most punishment and keep coming—was a different conversation entirely. That distinction, according to the former champ, belongs to two men known for their legendary durability.

"The toughest guy has to be Brad Tavares or Sean Strickland," Du Plessis revealed. "Strickland more so takes the punches but rolls with it. Tavares took some solid shots and he just kept standing." It's a testament to the kind of relentless pressure and iron chins that define the upper echelon of MMA competition.