UFC 264 Prelims: Trevin Giles vs Dricus Du Plessis: Prediction and Analysis

The UFC 264 prelims card on July 10, 2021, will feature an exciting middleweight bout between Trevin Giles and Dricus Du Plessis. Conor McGregor vs Dustin Poirier 3 will headline the event. Furthermore, an important welterweight bout between Stephen Thompson and Gilbert Burns will serve as the co-main event.

Giles last featured at UFC on ESPN: Brunson vs Holland. He picked up a unanimous decision win over Roman Dolidze. Du Plessis, meanwhile, defeated Markus Perez at UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs Sandhagen via KO.

Currently, ‘The Problem’ Giles (14-2) is on a 3 fight win streak. Out of those 14 wins, 6 have come via KO, 5 via submission, and 3 via decision. His latest winning streak started with a split decision win over James Kraus at UFC 247: Jones vs Reyes.

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‘Stillknocks’ Du Plessis (15-2) has the same winning trend as that of Giles. He also has picked up 3 consecutive wins. However, his UFC experience is way lesser than ‘The Problem’. The South African fighter will compete for the second time in the promotion at UFC 264.

Trevin Giles vs Dricus Du Plessis- Analysis

Giles stands at 6’0″ tall and has a reach of 74″ which is slightly less than that of ‘Stillknocks’, who has a height of 6’1″ and a reach of 76″.

Du Plessis has featured in only 1 match in UFC compared to Giles’ 7 matches. In his UFC debut, he landed a total of 7.72 significant strikes per minute with 44% accuracy. He also absorbed 4.16 significant strikes per minute with 67% defense.

In the UFC, Giles has landed 3.26  significant strikes on an average with 56% accuracy and has absorbed just 1.88 strikes per minute with a defense rate of 62%.

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Giles’ last three wins have come via unanimous decision, KO, and split decision. It is clear from this fact that he likes to mix things up. He has an orthodox stance and uses his right hand. He will look to take the game deep as Du Plessis mostly likes to finish his matches.

Unlike Giles, Du Plessis can switch his stance. This helps him to change his game whenever required and makes it difficult for opponents to plan for his attacks. As he has finished all of his opponents, he will look to maintain that streak. However, he has been finished in both his defeats too. Hence, Giles’ strike defense and his 79% takedown defense will prove pivotal at UFC 264.

Final Prediction: Giles via knockout in round 3.