By Dricus du Plessis recently shed light on the unusual training methods employed by his coach, Morne Visser, which involve using a cattle prod to tase fighters when they make repeated mistakes. This revelation came to light during the UFC 305 Countdown video, which previewed du Plessis’ upcoming fight against Israel Adesanya. The method has sparked mixed reactions, with some thinking it was a publicity stunt for the cameras, while others were shocked by the harshness of the tactic.
According to du Plessis, the taser is actually a more favorable alternative compared to what Visser used to do—leg kicking his fighters. Du Plessis explained that while the taser hurts in the moment, it doesn’t hinder training in the same way that a powerful leg kick does, which could affect a fighter’s performance for days.
The use of the taser is not a new practice; it has been part of Visser’s training regimen for over two and a half years. However, it had never been filmed before, leading to some surprise when it was finally revealed. Du Plessis emphasized that Visser doesn’t use the taser recklessly. The coach warns his fighters multiple times before resorting to the taser, using it as a “South African sticky note” to correct specific mistakes.
Interestingly, du Plessis mentioned that the team had to upgrade the taser after they became accustomed to the pain, indicating that Visser continuously seeks ways to make the training as effective as possible. Despite the unconventional nature of this method, du Plessis stands by his coach, noting that it works for them and serves as a strong reminder of the importance of precision in training.
