Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya are stepping into the octagon this August. The middleweight title is on the line and former champion, Robert Whittaker has a pick for the winner. ‘The Reaper’ talked about how stylistically, one fighter might prove to have the advantage over the other.
Robert Whittaker recently sat down for an interview with MMA Junkie. During their conversation, he spoke about who would win in the upcoming showdown between Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya.
I’m gonna lean towards Dricus. I think what he displayed in his fight against Sean Strickland, I think that’s forward pressure and that awkward unorthodox style, especially with the success Sean had doing that to Izzy. I think that’s a recipe to beat Adesanya.
Robert Whittaker on MMA Junkie
‘The Reaper’ is referring to UFC 293 where Strickland put out Adesanya to become champion. Du Plessis then came in and took the title off of Strickland at UFC 297. Whittaker has fought both Adesanya and Du Plessis. ‘Stillknocks’ even knocked him out when they fought at UFC 290.
⚡️Robert Whittaker picks Dricus Du Plessis to beat Adesanya:
“With his pressure and awkward orthodox style, espesially with the success of Sean doing that to Izzy, i think that’s the recipe to beat Adesanya.”
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Adesanya recently took to social media to announce his long-awaited comeback, that too against Dricu Du Plessis. Then UFC CEO, Dana White made it official announcing that they will headline the main event at UFC 305 this August. The event will go down at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.
Israel Adesanya picks Robert Whittaker to win at UFC Saudi Arabia
Robert Whittaker had a sudden change of plans for his upcoming fight. The former champion was supposed to take on the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev. But ‘Borz’ pulled out and he was replaced by upcoming Dagestani contender Ikram Aliskerov.
Robert Whittaker didn’t know who Ikram Aliskerov was (via Imago/ MMA Fighting)Adesanya recently addressed the UFC Saudi Arabia main event. Talking about it on his YouTube channel, ‘The Last Stylebender’ picked Whittaker to walk out as the winner.
Rob, former champion, still on a hunt, still dangerous. I’m picking Rob in this fight, I think Rob is going to beat the brakes off this guy like maybe from round 2 onwards.
Israel Adesanya on his YouTube channel
The fight is a huge opportunity for Aliskerov. A win against the former champion would mean a major step up in the division, maybe even a spot in the middleweight rankings. Meanwhile, Whittaker is just happy his training camp did not go to waste.
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