This weekend in Las Vegas Dricus Du Plessis takes on his toughest test to date, Robert Whittaker. The former middleweight champion is a huge step up for the South African who is 5-0 in the UFC and now pioneering for a title shot against Israel Adesanya.
UFC 290 Title Eliminator
Du Plessis is taking on the best middleweight on the planet not named Israel Adesanya this weekend at UFC 290 in what has become a title eliminator for a shot at UFC gold. Robert Whittaker is in a tough spot where he has beaten almost everyone beneath him but has fallen short of defeating the reigning champion twice.
Craving activity the Australian asked the UFC to get anyone that would be brave enough to step up and Dricus Du Plessis did just that. The winner on Saturday will potentially face a speedy turnaround for UFC 293 in Sydney to headline against Adesanya in early September. Many expect a clinic from Whittaker but Du Plessis carries an aura of confidence and no quit attitude that he will use to get his shot at gold.
Du Plessis vs Adesanya
The pair have created quite a frosty relationship between the two, particularly with Du Plessis making comments about his heritage and becoming “the first [UFC] Champion to reside in Africa.” Even with the abrasion between the two Du Plessis still respects Adesanya’s name, saying that “Anytime Izzy steps in there it is a massive fight for the UFC. I think Izzy is a superstar and it will be a big fight regardless,” in an interview with BJPENN.com.
He followed this up in the interview on how he feels Adesanya needs him to beat Whittaker for new blood in the division. “He requires the best of me to put on a performance that I know I can, to not only beat Robert Whittaker but to do it in spectacular fashion, it requires every ounce of my attention, my focus, and my physical, mental, and emotional abilities,” Du Plessis continued. “I’m going to go out there and be laser-focused as I have been this whole fight camp on Robert Whittaker and beating Robert Whittaker who is arguably one of the best middleweights ever.”
He continued on BJPENN.com stating that “Even Izzy is treating me like the champion, he has been calling me out. That is done and dusted.” This was in reference to a possible callout for the champion if he beats Whittaker in Las Vegas.
‘Stillknocks’ will be benefitting from the dominance of Adesanya in which we have seen fresh new talent fast-tracked to him due to his dominance over the top names in the division. Israel Adesanya is in Las Vegas and will be cage side for the fight, practically confirming the title shot for the victor.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
