UFC Middleweight fighter Dricus Du Plessis has been cooking up quite the storm in the division. He has picked up a nasty beef with the Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and now is looking to fight him for a title shot. However, one major obstacle stands between him and his title shot – Robert Whittaker.

Du Plessis and Whittaker are to fight on 9 July, at UFC 290. Rumor is, that the winner of this match could be going on to face Israel Adesanya for a title shot opportunity. Adesanya has mentioned on many occasions that he is expecting a fight against Du Plessis because the verbal war became personal real quick when African roots and heritages were questioned.

Ready to Rumble – Dricus Du Plessis opens up on why his fight against Whittaker will be different from others

Confidence is certainly not something that Middleweight fighter Dricus Du Plessis is lacking. He didn’t think twice before he called out Adesanya, although the Stylebender has been one of the most dominant fighters in the division. Du Plessis, who is eyeing the championship title, is all ready to face Robert Whittaker and recently opened up on his upcoming opponent.

“Well firstly, you know, finding flaws in terms of cardio is really hard. He has great wrestling, he has great striking. He’s tough. He can take a punch, he can give a punch.” pointed out Du Plessis. However, he went on to make an important point in trying to prove why he would be unlike any opponent that Whittaker might have faced before. 

Talking about Whittaker’s former opponents, Du Plessis said, “But, you know, also, another big thing with… with Robert Whittaker is a lot of the guys he’s been fighting to get, you know… Marvin Vettori, Jared Cannonier – these guys have all been beaten by Adesanya… so… Robert Whittaker faces them after he’s faced – after they’ve lost to Adesanya. So you’re getting a little bit more of a beaten-down fighter. You’re getting a guy who’s just lost to the champion, so your motivation isn’t what it should be, I’m assuming.” 

“So he’s faced incredible opponents but this is where this fight is different. I’m on my way up. I’m the contender right now, fighting Whittaker to fight for that title.” added the South African martial artist.

Brewing for a while – About time for Israel Adesanya vs. Dricus Du Plessis but not before Whittaker-win

The fighter seems ready for Whittaker and is quite sure that he can take the cake and then go on to fight Israel Adesanya for the title shot. “This is my title fight. Because without this fight, I’m not getting a title. So for me, this fight is my world title fight.” said Du Plessis.

Robert Whittaker, on the other hand, has said that Du Plessis is an extremely skilled and dangerous fighter. He said that a lot of his opponents underestimated him which ultimately lead to Du Plessis walking away with the win. Whittaker, who is easily one of the most feared fighters in the Middleweight division, isn’t underestimating his upcoming opponent.

Having lost to Adesanya twice, previously, Whittaker is looking to wrap up his business with Dricus Du Plessis and then complete his trilogy with the Stylebender, but this time with a win.

Dive Deeper – “Dricus Fights Ugly, but…”- After Revealing His Dark Intentions, Israel Adesanya Makes a Bold Prediction for Dricus Du Plessis vs Robert Whittaker Fight at UFC 290

Who do you think wins between Robert Whittaker and Dricus Du Plessis? How do you think the match ends? Let us know your answers in the comments below.

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