Dricus' championship destiny started 15 years ago: 'I'm going to be in UFC one day'

Upon his announcement as the new UFC Middleweight champion at UFC 297, Dricus du Plessis and his team exploded with jubilation as history was made. 

The crowd, too, who had been jeering him up until the midway point of the fight, raised the roof at a packed Scotiabank Arena as they realised that the sport had a new champion; one who deserved the accolade, having fought tooth and nail throughout his 15-year career.  

This is what the 30-year-old Du Plessis had been working towards since day one.