The day UFC champion Dricus du Plessis risked over R100,000 fine to shake Donald Trump’s hand

US President-elect Donald Trump referred to UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis as a big, strong, and powerful guy, according to UFC president, Dana White.

Trump is set to be inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States on Monday, after defeating Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in last year's election.

After Du Plessis secured an impressive second-round TKO victory against Australian Robert Whittaker last year, he jumped out of the cage and shook hands with Trump, who was seated next to the octagon alongside White.

Du Plessis later revealed that he was fined $10,000 (R186, 628,51) by the fighting organisation for jumping the cage and greeting Trump.

"That was the initial fine for jumping over the cage. They said - they told us beforehand - if you jump over (the fence), you’re getting a $10,000 fine," Du Plessis said as per FSMMA.

"After the fight, I looked to the side and Trump stood up and gave me an ovation. I was like, ‘This is too cool of a moment for me to let by,’ and well, I jumped over the fence and greeted Trump ... This was the President of the United States, I wasn't not gonna greet him, this is amazing.”

The victory against Whittaker earned him a shot at the title against Sean Strickland, whom he went on to defeat via a split decision to claim the title.

In a press conference last year, White revealed what Trump thought about the South African fighter.

"He was blown away; he was basically talking about 'God damn this guy is huge'. He is a big strong guy, and he is. If most of you have met him one-on-one, ever grabbed him or tried to touch the guy is like a table'."

"He is a beast, and he was happy to meet him," White said.

Since winning the title, Du Plessis has successfully defended it once against Nigerian-born fighter Israel Adesanya and will have his second title defence against Strickland in a rematch next month in Australia. 

IOL Sport