Dricus Du Plessis will headline next month’s UFC 305 PPV against long-time rival Israel Adesanya. The middleweight champion recently did an interview where he talked about a future opponent for his title defense. Sean Strickland and Robert Whittaker came to the champion’s mind.
If Dricus Du Plessis defeats Adesanya at UFC 305, Strickland and Whittaker are the other top contenders awaiting a title shot. Both fighters have winning momentum. As such, Du Plessis wanted the UFC to book a matchup between Strickland and Whittaker, one he feels could headline any fight card.
In my opinion, how I see this playing out, you cannot not do the Whittaker vs. Strickland fight. I think that’s the fight that needs to happen. It’s just a fight that makes so much sense. that’s the fight on its own, you can main event it on any card. I honestly think that’s how it’s gonna play out.
Dricus Du Plessis via Submission Radio YT channel
Both Strickland and Whittaker are former champions. While this matchup would definitely be a hit in the octagon, Strickland does not wish to do it, and he has his reasons. Sean Strickland previously lost his middleweight title to Dricus Du Plessis in a close split-decision loss. Ever since he beat Paulo Costa at UFC 302, he has demanded a rematch with ‘Stillknocks.’
⚡️Dricus du Plessis believes the Whittaker vs. Strickland fight needs to happen.
‘You cannot not do the Whittaker vs. Strickland fight… that’s the fight on its own, you can main event it on any card. I honestly think that’s how it will play out.
🎥 YT / @SubmissionRadio ▫️ pic.twitter.com/WQiHGbNt7X
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) July 3, 2024
Strickland believes fighting anyone other than the current champion would not significantly advance his career. Despite significant fan demand for a #1 contender fight against Robert Whittaker, Strickland has decided to hold out for a title shot. As for Du Plessis, he plans on defeating Adesanya to enhance his legacy. Moreover, the champion thinks Adesanya might have one step out of the door.
Dricus Du Plessis believes Israel Adesanya has to convince himself to continue fighting
Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya have an exciting showdown coming up this August. The duo will headline the main event at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia. They recently had their first and heated pre-fight press conference. It has only paved the way for more hype after DDP made a bold about Adesanya.
Dricus Du Plessis on Israel Adesanya (Image via Imago)After the press conference, Du Plessis talked about how ‘Izzy’ lacks a certain confidence after a brutal UFC 293 loss to Sean Strickland. According to the champion, Adesanya has already done what he can do for his legacy and can never get back to what he used to be.
I can feel this man is trying to convince himself that he still wants to be here… He has done what he was going to do in the sport in terms of legacy. I think this is him trying to convince himself that he still wants to do this. I’m here just to show him that he’s not.
Dricus Du Plessis via Submission Radio YT Channel
Dricus du Plessis breaks down Israel Adesanya’s demeanour at the #UFC305 presser:
“This man is trying to convince himself that he still wants to be here… he will never get what he had again…
I think this is him trying to convince himself that he still wants to do this. That… pic.twitter.com/JE9x8giZ6q
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 3, 2024
Du Plessis said Adesanya might not comprehend what can happen at UFC 305 as Adesanya believes in easily conquering the South African fighter. This was why ‘Stillknocks’ says ‘The Last Stylebender’ cut short his extended break from the octagon. It will be interesting to see how the highly anticipated fight will go down next month.
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