WATCH: 'This just the beginning'- World champ Dricus du Plessis warns rivals

South Africa’s latest world champion landed at O.R Tambo International Airport on Thursday morning after winning the United Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight title in Canada over the weekend.

Du Plessis became South Africa’s first UFC champion after defeating American Sean Strickland on Sunday.

Speaking to the media on his arrival back home, Du Plessis said this was just the beginning of his journey.

"This was a big step up, fighting for the world title is as big in most cases as it is going to get. But there have been other people who became world champions in two-way divisions, and if somebody else could do it, that means I can do it.

“As big as this is for me, for South Africa and everyone who is here, this is not as high as I wanna go," he said.

"This is just the beginning of the championship reign and the Dricus du Plessis era. After this, I want to go up in the weight division and fight for another title.”

Du Plessis was given a hero’s welcome by a group of supporters, including Keenan Bender, who got a tattoo of Du Plessis after his victory.

"We have believed in him since the UFC days. My and I have always 100% believed that he is gonna be a world champion, and here he is as the champion," said Bender.