Dricus du Plessis quietly returns to SA amid Trump backlash
No hero’s welcome: UFC World Champion Dricus du Plessis quietly returned to SA amid public backlash of his support to President Donald Trump.
Dricus du Plessis shunned a hero’s welcome after his return from retaining his UFC World Champion belt in a fight against Sean Strickland earlier this month. And many believe it has much to do with his comments praising controversial US President Donald Trump.
DRICUS DU PLESSIS QUIETLY RETURNS TO SA
On his Instagram Stories, Dricus du Plessis has reposted messages from friends and family who have welcomed him back into the country.
The MMA fighter quietly jetted back to South Africa after his bloody victory against Sean Strickland on Sunday, 9 February.
Unlike his return from his fight against Israel “Izzy” Adesanya last year, the 31-year-old did not have a hero’s welcome at OR Tambo International Airport.
And many believe it has something to do with his show of support for US President Donald Trump.
Dricus set tongues wagging before his fight when he wore a T-shirt that read: “Trump supports Champions.” Defending his controversial slogan T-shirt and his support for the US president, Dricus said: “He [Trump] said he wants champions in his team.”
Dricus’s comments saw many South Africans withdraw their support.
The Trump T-shirt display came amid Trump’s comments criticising the country over “racial discrimination” towards white South Africans. The statesman has since issued an executive order permitting Afrikaners asylum or refugee status in America.
Dricus is known for speaking out about his support for the Afrikaner community, particularly farm murders.
LOVE FOR SA AND THE US?
According to IOL, Dricus du Plessis continued to court controversy by reposting inflammatory messages about President Trump’s condemnation of the SA government.
However, the outspoken athlete was seen proudly wearing the SA flag over his shoulders before and after his fight against Sean Strickland.
“We did it. Thank you for all the love and support”, he shared with his SA supporters after the fight.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF DRICUS DU PLESSIS’S SUPPORT OF DONALD TRUMP?
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