PICS: Dricus du Plessis — bloodied and bruised but unbroken

It was a brutal fight that went the distance, with the South African prevailing on points.

Dricus du Plessis with the middleweight belt. Picture: Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

New UFC middleweight champion of the world Dricus du Plessis took a few punches in his UFC title fight against Sean Strickland in Toronto on Sunday — and had the scars and bruises to show it afterwards.

But Du Plessis will show off his bruises with pride after claiming the title in five rounds against the American, becoming the first South African to win an Ultimate Fighting Championship title.

After a slow start, Du Plessis eventually got into things in the third round and possibly edged his opponent in rounds four and five as well. In the end he won by split decision.

The fight was declared the “fight of the night” at UFC297.