On Saturday, at UFC 290 in Las Vegas, Robert Whittaker and Dricus du Plessis are set to face off in a title eliminator. The stakes are high, as the winner is expected to challenge UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in Sydney, Australia, later this year.
Regardless of the outcome, a deserving No. 1 contender will likely be determined, but the paths of Whittaker and du Plessis couldn’t be more different. Which could influence the viewers’ interest in seeing them challenge Adesanya.
Robert represents a familiar, feel-good story. He has already tasted championship glory and is looking to reclaim his title. His journey and previous success make him a compelling contender. On the other hand, Dricus brings fresh and ferocious energy to the mix.
His hunger to prove himself by defeating a former champion adds an intriguing element to his challenge. Robert has already faced Izzy twice so a new face would likely be a more enticing matchup for the reigning champ.
Why Du Plessis turned down Israel Adesanya bout?
Du Plessis believes that the UFC might have been content with arranging a middleweight title fight between himself and Israel. However, the South African fighter wants to establish his worth by defeating a former champion first.
“Stillknocks,” also known as Dricus, is set to face arguably the biggest challenge of his career as he squares off against Robert on the main card of UFC 290 this weekend.
The victor of this highly anticipated bout is likely to earn the opportunity to challenge Israel for the middleweight title. Du Plessis has engaged in several heated exchanges with Adesanya in the past. Further intensifying the significance of this matchup.
Confidence seems to radiate from the South African fighter as he approaches a showdown with Whittaker. In an interview with Michael Bisping, Dricus even suggested that he could have bypassed this fight and opted for a shot at the middleweight championship if he desired.
Since joining the UFC in 2020, Dricus has maintained a strong undefeated record. He views the upcoming clash with Whittaker as yet another chance to test his skills. With the ultimate goal of proving himself as the premier middleweight in the sport by taking on Adesanya.
The middleweight division has often been top-heavy, with dominant fighters like Anderson Silva and Israel consistently defeating their challengers and leaving the division in need of fresh contenders.
This is where Dricus emerges as an intriguing prospect. With his charismatic personality, action-packed fighting style, and passionate fanbase from South Africa. Du Plessis brings a breath of fresh air to the division.
What did Israel Adesanya say to Dricus Du Plessis?
Dricus du Plessis: "I'm the African fighter. Me and Cameron. WE breathe African air, WE wake up in Africa every day. " pic.twitter.com/7xWfyfhvem
— MMA Mania (@mmamania) March 1, 2023
Unfortunately, the potential Adesanya vs. du Plessis fight is fueled by a bitter rivalry. In the past, Dricus referred to himself as “the African fighter” in the UFC, which provoked a strong reaction from Izzy.
Adesanya took offense to du Plessis’ statement, perceiving it as a slight towards African-born champions who have chosen to represent other countries.
While the clash between Israel and Dricus is expected to be a massive event, it is tinged with a contentious build-up. The confrontation between these two fighters adds an extra layer of animosity to their potential bout.
“Who the f— is this cracker to tell me who the f— I am. Who the f— Kamaru is, who the f— Ngannou is. I’m like, ‘Are you dumb?’ As a product of colonization. You’re trying to tell me who the f— I am,” Adesanya said.
Du Plessis maintains that he never intended to assert superiority over other African-born fighters or invalidate their experiences. His statement was merely meant to highlight his status as a proud South African who was born and raised on the African continent.
What’s your take on the whole ‘True African’ debacle? Share with us below!
