Exhibiting the defiance that brought him a momentous UFC middleweight word title, Dricus du Plessis on Thursday doubled down on his view that the South African government is in a poor state.

The 30-year-old mixed martial arts star returned to rapturous welcome at OR Tambo International airport having not only enthralled the nation with his exploits in the octagon last weekend, but also ruffling feathers over an interview beforehand where he labelled the ruling party as the "worst government in the world by a longshot".

In an interview with interviewer Nina Drama conducted before his showdown with Sean Strickland, he didn't mince his words.

"Nobody is going to compete with them. We are truly, exceptionally s**t at being a government. To fix anything that they screwed up thus far [will take] a lifetime. I mean, many great people are doing great work. I'm trying to save it, but our government is terrible. I have to say, I do admire the tenacity at which they screw up the country," said Du Plessis.

"Our government is the most corrupt in the world; I'm 100 percent certain of that. Our country is amazing. It's beautiful, the people are awesome, we just have a very s**t government."

Things became distinctly awkward once the interview was shared more widely over social media, especially since sports minister Zizi Kodwa had congratulated him on his achievement on Sunday.

Asked during a media conference whether his sentiments had "softened" following all the cheers from a legion of supporters, Du Plessis was firm and measured. 

"I stand by what I said. I'm not a politician and that's why I've never agitated to become involved in that sphere. I'm a sportsperson," he said.

However, Du Plessis also - as he did in Toronto - reiterated that his opinion should be viewed with a healthy dose of perspective, especially in terms of government not being an extension of the general populace.

"To be fair, there's not much leeway for people to argue against me in that regard. It's facts," he said.

"It's hard to go ahead and say this isn't fact. We, as South Africans, we don't get put down by the negativity of whatever the case is: corruption, government, murders in all communities.

"It's doesn't matter. We always try to focus on the positive We rise above all of this. Look at SA uniting [here at the airport], how the Springboks, Proteas, Bafana and even me with a sports code that's new to so many people have helped us be one again.

"This is what makes SA the greatest country in the world. We continually do great things as South Africans, like winning World Cups and world titles.

"We're confronted daily by negative situations in front of us, which we simply can't turn a blind eye to yet then you walk out of this media conference venue and you witness what's going on here, South African fans from all walks of life turning up here.

"It's acts and gatherings like this one that makes South African one. 

"The majority of South Africans are preoccupied with the positive aspects of daily life in this country, not the negative stuff. And [other parties] can try as hard as they want to turn the focus to the negative stuff and undermine us, but they won't." 

Unsurprisingly, Kodwa said that Du Plessis' initial comments were "regrettable".

"We have taken note of his comments," he told Netwerk24, News24's sister publication.

"He expressed our pride at his achievements and how he's inspired many people through his mixed martial arts."