Despite not having defended his UFC middleweight championship, Dricus Du Plessis has already identified his desired opponent for his next fight.
At the young age of five, Dricus Du Plessis began his rigorous training in judo and kickboxing. His well-rounded abilities in mixed martial arts earned him a spot in the 2012 Amateur Kickboxing Junior World Championship.
After winning gold at the competition, Du Plessis embarked on his professional MMA journey at the age of 18 that same year. Joining the roster of Extreme Fighting Championship, he swiftly rose to fame.
The African promotion provided Du Plessis with a smooth shift to the octagon, during which the up-and-coming fighter achieved a record of 12-1, with a short detour of three fights in the Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki in between.
Suddenly, Dana White appeared at the door.
Ever since becoming a part of White’s promotion, Du Plessis has consistently dominated his opponents. He remains undefeated at 7-0, and his most recent split-decision win against Sean Strickland marked a historic moment for South Africa as it earned its first UFC championship.
The current UFC middleweight champion has made his next fight request. There are numerous justifications for White to grant Du Plessis his wish.
Table of Contents
- Which opponent is Dricus Du Plessis interested in fighting?
- What is the reason behind his desire to challenge the former champion in a fight?
- Why the UFC would be smart to make this match
Who does Dricus Du Plessis want to face in his next fight?
In April, Dricus Du Plessis issued a challenge to former UFC champion and fellow African Israel Adesanya, calling on him to face off in the main event at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia.
During a recent podcast, ‘Stillknocks’ called out Adesanya to follow through with his words after the Nigerian fighter had previously threatened to drag Du Plessis’ body around South Africa during their ongoing feud.
“Du Plessis expressed his desire for the fight, and it is a sentiment shared by the people. Ideally, it would have taken place on home soil.”
Initially, Du Plessis had planned to defend his UFC middleweight championship in his home country of South Africa. However, he is now open to changing plans and facing Adesanya in Australia.
Despite initially being scheduled to take place in Sydney as the main event for UFC 293, the fight never materialized. But if Du Plessis has his way, Australian fans will finally get to witness the long-awaited showdown they were promised a year ago.
Why does Du Plessis want to fight Adesanya?
Du Plessis and Adesanya have a long-standing history of exchanging insults, which was highlighted by a face-to-face confrontation at the post-fight interview of UFC 290.
‘During the event, ‘Stillknocks’ defeated Robert Whittaker in the second round via TKO, securing his position as the number-one contender for Izzy’s middleweight championship belt.’
Following the fight, Du Plessis made a promise to all South Africans that he would bring the championship belt back to their home country, instead of taking it to New Zealand where Izzy currently resides.
Unfortunately, Du Plessis sustained a leg injury prior to his scheduled UFC 293 match against Adesanya. As a result, he had to withdraw from the championship fight and was replaced by Sean Strickland by the UFC.
Despite initial expectations, ‘The Last Stylebender’ experienced a surprising defeat to Strickland, causing a delay in the potential Du Plessis-Adesanya super fight at that time.
Despite his previous struggles, Du Plessis ultimately emerged victorious in his match against Strickland at UFC 297, finally achieving the middleweight title he had been pursuing for some time. However, despite now holding the championship, the 30-year-old has yet to make a defense of his title in the division.
Now, with no set opponent, Du Plessis sees this as the opportune moment to finally face Adesanya and put an end to their ongoing feud.
The Potential Showdown Between Du Plessis and Adesanya in the UFC
It would be a strategic move for the UFC to arrange a main event title fight between Du Plessis and Adesanya, whether it takes place in Australia or elsewhere.
The animosity between the two is evident, as seen through their constant disrespectful exchanges from UFC 290 to UFC 293. Despite the match being cancelled, the feud continues to be intense even a year later.
Despite the controversial split decision on the judges’ scorecards in his championship victory against Strickland, Du Plessis remains confident that he is the best version of himself.
A victory over Adesanya, a two-time UFC champion, would validate his title reign. An impressive win against ‘The Last Stylebender’ could potentially sway even Du Plessis’ most skeptical critics.
Despite the fact that Adesanya suffered a surprising loss to Strickland at UFC 293, he has not competed in the octagon since then. A fight against Du Plessis would give Izzy the opportunity to regain his position as one of the top fighters in the world.
When it comes to their fighting style, it is difficult to envision a more thrilling showdown for Du Plessis or Adesanya. Both fighters possess an abundance of distinct combinations, stemming from their extensive kickboxing backgrounds.
Du Plessis’ undefeated UFC record stands at seven fights, however, Adesanya would pose the greatest challenge thus far in his career with the promotion.
MMA expert Ariel Helwani revealed on X that Adesanya has not yet received an invitation to headline UFC 305, but he has confirmed that he is fully committed to the fight if White decides to schedule it.
Currently, White has the ball in his court. After Du Plessis issued the challenge, Adesanya appears ready to seize the chance to once again vie for UFC championship.
Both fighters are determined to add another achievement to their already impressive legacies, making it fitting for them to face each other in their next match.
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