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Dricus Du Plessis: The King of Drunken Monkey Style and the Road to His Showdown with Khamzat Chimaev
- Austin Jones
- Apr 25
- 5 min read
Dricus Du Plessis: The King of Drunken Monkey Style and the Road to His Showdown with Khamzat Chimaev
In the world of MMA, fighters develop signature styles that make them stand out from the rest. Whether it’s the technical precision of a Demetrious Johnson, the relentless pressure of a Khabib Nurmagomedov, or the explosive power of a Francis Ngannou, fighters often define themselves by their fighting mechanics. But one style that has intrigued fans for years, mostly due to its unorthodox and unpredictable nature, is the drunken monkey style. Mastered by Dricus Du Plessis.
What is Drunken Monkey Style?
Drunken Monkey is a unique concept in martial arts, most famously represented in kung fu. The style mimics the erratic movements and behaviors of a drunken individual – staggering, unpredictable, and often appearing uncontrolled. However, underneath the apparent chaos lies incredible skill, timing, and balance. It’s all about using unorthodox angles, fluid footwork, and deceptive strikes to confuse and overwhelm the opponent. The "drunken" element throws off the opponent's ability to anticipate where the next attack is coming from, making it incredibly difficult to defend against.
The key elements of Drunken Monkey include:
Unpredictability: The fighter’s movements appear sloppy and erratic, but each is purposefully executed.
Fluidity: Despite seeming like chaos, the fighter’s transitions between strikes, stances, and attacks are smooth and intentional.
Deception: The fighter feigns vulnerability or awkwardness, only to land a clean, devastating strike from an unexpected angle.
This chaotic style relies on the element of surprise and disrupts the opponent’s rhythm and expectations, making it one of the most dangerous techniques in combat sports.
Dricus Du Plessis: The Embodiment of Drunken Monkey Style
When we talk about Dricus Du Plessis, one fighter that truly embodies this drunken monkey style is him. His fight against Sean Strickland was a showcase of just how effective this approach can be in the modern MMA world. On the surface, Du Plessis' movements may appear unrefined and unpredictable, but look closer, and you’ll see the method behind the madness.
The Striking Chaos
Dricus’ striking is a prime example of drunken monkey at its finest. In his previous bouts, including the Strickland fight, we saw him throw flurries of punches that seemed wild, but each strike was calculated. His unpredictability forced Strickland to second-guess himself at every turn, making him hesitant and reactive.
Where most fighters focus on perfecting their jab or cross, Du Plessis creates openings through unorthodox, almost sloppy flurries of strikes. His wild hooks, overhand punches, and sudden shifts in movement break the usual rhythm of a fight. Instead of maintaining traditional boxing stances, Dricus often moves in unpredictable ways, making it difficult for his opponent to establish a pattern or timing.
This is where Drunken Monkey style shines: chaos that controls the fight by distorting the opponent’s perception of what’s coming next. Du Plessis, while appearing uncoordinated, is in fact setting up traps with every swing. It’s like he’s playing a game of deception, with his opponent as the pawn.
Fluid Movement and Balance
Although Du Plessis might look like he’s flailing around at times, one of the hidden qualities of his drunken monkey approach is his amazing fluidity. His ability to flow from one strike to the next, even after seeming to be off-balance, shows his underlying skill and balance. Like a drunken fighter swaying but never falling, Dricus weaves through opponents' defenses with a unique kind of control.
This is particularly evident in his clinch work. Dricus has the uncanny ability to switch from aggressive striking to sudden clinches and takedowns, making it near impossible for his opponents to predict what comes next. While the drunken monkey style may seem chaotic, its effectiveness lies in the fact that everything flows into the next move—whether it’s a spinning backfist, a wild uppercut, or a surprise takedown.
The Deception Factor
Perhaps one of Du Plessis’ most dangerous traits is his deceptiveness. His strikes may seem sloppy, but they often land with precision because of the misdirection they cause. By adopting awkward angles and switching stances unpredictably, Du Plessis constantly keeps his opponent guessing. His flurries may seem like a hasty attack, but they're perfectly timed, often catching opponents off guard.
This deceptive style leads to Dricus’ ability to make a sloppy flurry land elegantly. Each attack, while appearing unpolished, is an ambush, set up by his opponent's confusion and misjudgment. Whether it’s a hook that seems to come out of nowhere or a flying knee that is thrown when least expected, Du Plessis’ style continues to mystify and dismantle his opponents’ game plans.
The Upcoming Bout with Khamzat Chimaev: The Return of the Drunken Monkey?
All eyes are now on Dricus Du Plessis’ highly anticipated fight against Khamzat Chimaev, a fighter who has become a force of nature in the UFC with his own unique style—relentless pressure and grappling supremacy. This clash of styles promises to be a battle of unpredictability versus dominance, and it has everyone buzzing.
Rumors of injuries had put the fight in jeopardy, with many wondering if Du Plessis' injuries would sideline him. However, both fighters have confirmed that the fight is still on, and fans are now eagerly awaiting the showdown.
So, what can we expect when these two fighters meet in the cage? Will we see the return of the drunken monkey? Given Chimaev’s penchant for controlling the pace of the fight, the challenge for Du Plessis will be disrupting that rhythm with his chaotic style. Chimaev is a bulldozer—an opponent that doesn’t allow his adversaries time to think or breathe. However, Du Plessis' unorthodox striking could be the perfect antidote to Chimaev’s straight-forward approach.
We might just see Du Plessis throw off Chimaev’s timing with his wild, erratic movements. After all, the drunken monkey style thrives on chaos, and there’s no better test of Du Plessis’ skills than against a fighter who thrives on controlling the fight. If Du Plessis can throw off Chimaev’s rhythm and keep him guessing, we could witness another spectacular showing of drunken monkey brilliance.
What Makes This Fight So Exciting?
The upcoming bout between Du Plessis and Chimaev is exciting for several reasons. First, it’s a true test of styles. Chimaev’s relentless wrestling and pressure tactics will collide with Du Plessis’ unpredictability and fluidity. Second, this fight is significant for the middleweight division, as both fighters are contenders for the title. The winner could be on the fast track to facing Israel Adesanya or Robert Whittaker for the belt.
Furthermore, the clash between these two will likely answer some key questions:
Can Du Plessis keep his wild style in check while managing Chimaev’s pressure?
Can Chimaev control a fighter who thrives on chaos and deception?
The stakes are high, and the anticipation is even higher. Both fighters have earned their shot at greatness, and now it’s time for them to prove who belongs at the top.
Conclusion: The Return of the King?
As the rumors of injury fade and the excitement builds, one thing is certain: this fight is going to be a spectacle. Du Plessis’ mastery of the drunken monkey style, combined with his unpredictable nature, has the potential to turn this fight into a truly unpredictable battle. And while Khamzat Chimaev is a dominant force, Du Plessis has shown time and again that he thrives in the chaos.
So, will we see the drunken monkey rise again? Will Du Plessis continue his reign of unorthodox chaos, or will Khamzat Chimaev's relentless pressure prove too much? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: this fight is going to be legendary.
