“Not So Well-Rounded”: After Claiming He Ragdolled Israel Adesanya Years Ago, Dricus du Plessis Drops Blunt Remark on UFC Champ

The UFC is buzzing with excitement as one of the most exciting fight cards for the year is drawing closer. Middleweight fighters Dricus du Plessis and Robert Whittaker are all set to fight each other on 9 July. Additionally, claims have been made that the winner of the match would go on to face Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya for a championship title contest.

Ever since Adesanya and du Plessis’ beef, many hope that a great fight between the two fighters awaits. However, Robert Whittaker is a challenge that du Plessis has to overcome before he gets to dance with the Stylebender. Recently, du Plessis shed some light on a past sparring session with the Stylebender, and now the two seem to have found new grounds to fight over.

Dricus du Plessis on his opponent Robert Whittaker and the MW champ Israel Adesanya

The South African MW fighter always had a bunch to say about his former sparring mate Israel Adesanya but now he has a lot to say about his upcoming opponent Robert Whittaker as well. In a recent interview with The Schmo on YouTube, du Plessis explained the areas of the game where he found Adesanya ‘lacking’ and also spoke extensively about Whittaker.

When the interviewer asked him who amongst Whittaker and Adesanya would be an easier opponent for him, du Plessis started, “I don’t think easier. Very different. Very different. I think Whittaker is…“, when the interviewer interrupted, rephrasing his question, asking who he would prefer to face. 

“The guy with the belt.“, replied du Plessis. Continuing to answer the question, du Plessis said, “At the end of the day, its two very different fighters. One is a lot taller. He fights with more technique. I would say very technical. It’s… he doesn’t make it an ugly fight, so with him it’s a completely different game plan.“.

Talking about his opponent, Whittaker, du Plessis said, “With Whittaker, you have a guy that’s clinical – he’s fast, he’s strong, he can wrestle, he can grapple, but… also technical, but more of a… of a dog in him, I would say. He… you can make it a dog fight – he’s in. Make it technical, he can hang.“. He then went on to talk about the Middleweight champion and exposed his ‘flaws’ in fighting.

“With Adesanya… not so, all-around… not so well-rounded. Not the best, uh… offensive wrestling. The ground game is very limited, but incredible, incredible striking. Incredible reach. Uses his reach very well. Speed… and precision in striking – is very precise.“

This Time For Real – Dricus du Plessis recalls spar session with Israel Adesanya

Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and fellow South African UFC fighter Dricus du Plessis have fought before. The two had sparred in Thailand, many years back. In an interview, Adesanya confirmed having conceded to du Plessis in terms of grappling and wrestling but also said that he out-matched him in a striking contest.

Du Plessis, in his interview with The Schmo, called everything that Adesanya said a bluff and said that he had indeed defeated Adesanya in grappling and wrestling but the two had never engaged in a striking contest.

Dive Deeper – “You Have Never Been Kicked in the Head…”: Dricus Du Plessis’ Coach Asks Ariel Helwani to Stay in His Lane for “Trying to Stir Sh*t” With Israel Adesanya

Who is spitting facts? Who is trying to malign the other and show the other in a bad light? Is there a way to corroborate either fighter’s story? All these are questions that UFC fans are looking for answers to and will be answered for good once these two face each other in the Octagon.

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