Dricus “Stillknocks” Du Plessis, South African EFC middleweight MMA champion, kickboxer and former welterweight champion won his debut UFC fight last July when he recorded a TKO win over Trevin Giles at UFC 264 in Las Vegas. Besides being the first-ever South African UFC winner, Dricus also won the overall Performance of the Night award, earning R1 million ($75 000). Away from the lights and cheering crowds, Du Plessis is firmly focused on the future and has established himself as an astute online trader. Du Plessis has served as CMTrading’s official brand ambassador outside the octagon since 2019 and will continue his collaboration with the brand through 2022.
“Online trading is a lot like stepping into the ring,” says Du Plessis. “It’s all about preparation and training. When preparing for fights, it is vital to learn everything you can about your opponents. And it is the same when you learn how to trade. Fighting and trading both involve risk and reward. Calculated risks are required to win”.
Jonathan Bergman, VP for Marketing at CMTrading, says: “We are excited and proud to continue our long-standing partnership with such an amazing fighter. We expect even greater things from this incredible collaboration in the future and wish him every success, both in and out of the ring.
“We believe in supporting every client who steps into the financial ring with us. It’s our mission to ensure every trader has the best possible opportunity to succeed in the markets. We’re in your corner, supporting you every step of your trading journey.”
Du Plessis adds: “I am thrilled to have extended my partnership with CMTrading. The company has backed me for the past two years and helped me rise through the ranks and enter UFC. This year, we will continue to spread awareness around financial literacy.
We will also be looking to get more involved with development and charity work which I am very excited about.
“The Partnership with CMTrading has supported me in many ways, the most obvious being the ability to allow me to focus and train full-time, which is essential to becoming a champion in the UFC. CMTrading has also taught me that it is important to create passive income and that forex trading is a way to achieve that.
“We are looking to fight four times this year in the UFC, which will allow me to rise through the ranks into the top 10 rankings and higher. We will be fully dedicated to training, and I hope to become a better all-around athlete. We have also just opened our first boxing-specific gym in South Africa, which is exciting. And I am working on a few other business ventures in my spare time that everyone will see in due time.
“I am very excited about being a feature in an upcoming UFC video game. A first for South Africa. The release date is still to be announced, but I am featuring, and I can’t wait to see myself in the game.
Asked if he had any advice for South Africans still on the fence regarding online trading, Du Plessis adds, “Do your homework, read and research before you dive straight in. Find a platform or broker that you can trust – this is important. And start small. Copycat trading allows you to copy what successful traders are doing and, in turn, learn the tricks of the trade.
“For me, preparing for a future beyond fighting and achieving lifelong financial independence is essential. It is crucial to maximise every bit of wealth created during your career to secure a comfortable retirement. This requires wise investments, creating passive income streams and even starting businesses. It is not as challenging as one may think to become familiar with the trading landscape. I took my time and started small, but one could confidently be up and running within a few weeks.
“There are some fantastic resources and educational tools to help get amateur traders started. Achieving success, whether in the ring or the markets, always comes more easily when you stand on the shoulders of giants.
“My biggest goal is to become the greatest fighter ever to enter the UFC Octagon. UFC events were the first to feature an eight-sided competition configuration, known worldwide as the UFC Octagon. I hope to be the UFC Champion and represent South Africa on the biggest MMA stage in the world. I want to continue inspiring and supporting aspiring MMA athletes long after my days in the ring are behind me. I have quite a few business ventures on the go and will continue my trading journey as well”.
For more information on CMTrading, visit their official website at www.cmtrading.com or call +27105008026, and one of their friendly staff will assist you.
