Dwayne Johnson Not Recognizing UFC Star Dricus Du Plessis Leaves Fans in Splits: “The Rock Had No Clue”

Hollywood superstar Dwayne Johnson appears confused and fails to recognize Dricus Du Plessis during an interview.

Dwayne Johnson Not Recognizing UFC Star Dricus Du Plessis Leaves Fans in Splits: “The Rock Had No Clue”

Dwayne Johnson could not recognize Dricus Du Plessis (via Inkl, MMA Fighting)

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In the world of sports and entertainment, crossover moments between prominent figures often create a buzz online. One such moment recently occurred when Hollywood icon and WWE legend Dwayne Johnson found himself in a humorous encounter with former UFC champion Dricus Du Plessis. Johnson was busy with promotions for his new movie and did not recognize DDP while he interviewed him.

The movie in question is The Smashing Machine, a biopic of UFC legend Mark Kerr, who is credited with globalizing the ground and pound style of fighting in MMA. Johnson underwent massive changes to play the role of Kerr in the movie, and his performance is being dubbed as one of the best performances of his career. He also received an impressive 15-minute standing ovation during the premiere of the movie.

Johnson, most commonly known by his WWE persona ‘The Rock,’ was busy with promotional duties for the movie when he was set up for an interview with Du Plessis. While Du Plessis initially exchanged pleasantries with Johnson, the ‘Brahma Bull’ had not recognized him. Even after Du Plessis revealed that he was a UFC fighter, Johnson, who clearly did not recognize him by name, still acknowledged DDP.

Hold on a second. Holy ****, I didn’t know it was you. I thought for a second, ‘Wait, is that the champ?’ Oh, okay. No one told me. Oh, brother, hey. It’s great to see you and talk with you, man. You have done such a tremendous job, man, all of your fights.

Dwayne Johnson via A24

The incident drew attention not just for its humor, but also because DDP is a prominent figure in mixed martial arts. That prominence stems from Du Plessis’ run as the UFC middleweight champion before UFC 319. He claimed the belt at UFC 297 by defeating Sean Strickland and went on to make successful title defenses against Israel Adesanya and Strickland in a rematch.

However, at UFC 319, Du Plessis lost his title to Chechen superstar Khamzat Chimaev, who secured a unanimous decision victory, with all three judges scoring the bout 50-44 in ‘Borz’s favor. Chimaev’s performance was methodical and controlling; he executed multiple takedowns and held down the South African in a crucifix hold for almost the entirety of the fight.

Encounters like the one between Dwayne Johnson and Dricus Du Plessis showed how casual interactions can spark widespread attention, bridging the gap between Hollywood icons and top-tier athletes in combat sports. Ultimately, this lighthearted moment reinforces how far Du Plessis’ recognition has reached since his championship reign.

Fans react to Dwayne Johnson failing to recognize Dricus Du Plessis

Dwayne Johnson has long been a major supporter of mixed martial arts and the UFC. Beyond his public enthusiasm for the sport, Johnson is also a member of the board of directors for TKO Group Holdings, the parent company formed after the merger of UFC and WWE under Endeavor. This close involvement has made him a familiar face at major events.

Dwayne Johnson Dricus Du Plessis
Dwayne Johnson Dricus Du Plessis ( via X, SportsNet)

Still, viewers found it hilarious that despite his deep ties to the organization, Johnson momentarily failed to recognize Dricus Du Plessis. Many fans were amused by the idea of one of MMA’s most prominent names going unnoticed by someone who sits on the company’s board. The situation was viewed as a harmless and entertaining mishap, showcasing the unpredictability of unscripted celebrity moments.

Fans enjoyed seeing two global personalities share an authentic interaction that perfectly captured the humor and spontaneity. In the end, the viral exchange turned into a wholesome highlight for both sides. Fans appreciated the genuine surprise on Johnson’s part and the humble reaction from Dricus Du Plessis, who took the situation in stride.

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