Dricus Du Plessis, the reigning UFC middleweight champion, has solidified his place as one of the division’s most formidable fighters. With a string of remarkable victories over elite names like Sean Strickland, Israel Adesanya, and Robert Whittaker, the 31-year-old South African has displayed a diverse skill set, winning through split decisions, armbars, and knockouts.

Now, as he gears up for a highly anticipated rematch against Sean Strickland at UFC 312—marking the UFC’s first major event in Australia for 2025—the excitement surrounding his title defense continues to grow. Consequently, Dricus Du Plessis’ technical prowess has become a hot topic of discussion among fighters and fans alike.

During a recent episode of the ‘MMArcade’ podcast, middleweight stars Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker weighed in on his meteoric rise. Izzy, for instance, reflected on being submitted by ‘Still Knocks’ at UFC 305, while ‘The Reaper’ revisited his own loss to the champion at UFC 290 in 2023. Reflecting on his experience, Whittaker admitted, “When I fought him, in those first 30 seconds, I thought, ‘Dude, he’s so slow.’ But then, out of nowhere, I was like, ‘Bro, he just… dude!’ And then I got punched in the face.”

In their last outing, Dricus Du Plessis delivered a dominant performance, finishing Robert Whittaker in just two rounds and firmly establishing his presence in the division. The emphatic victory left fans eagerly calling for a rematch, a sentiment echoed by the South African himself. He has openly acknowledged ‘The Reaper’ as one of the most deserving contenders for a title shot. In October 2024, Du Plessis even hinted that Whittaker might be his next opponent for a title defense. Nevertheless, the opportunity eventually went to Sean Strickland. This doesn’t imply that ‘Still Knocks’ couldn’t gain crucial insights from the middleweight veteran.

Dricus Du Plessis wants to train with Robert Whittaker before UFC 312

Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has been a cornerstone of the UFC for over a decade, accumulating invaluable experience that has made him a respected veteran in the sport. As his career approaches its final chapter, coaching seems to be a logical progression for the Australian. For Dricus Du Plessis, Whittaker stands as a wellspring of knowledge, and he hopes to have the legend by his side for training in preparation for his rematch against Sean Strickland at UFC 312 in Australia next month.

During his visit to Australia last year, Dricus Du Plessis expressed a deep admiration for Robert Whittaker, his childhood idol, and voiced his desire to train alongside him. In an interview, ‘Still Knocks’ said, “If it’s a possibility, I would love that, it would be incredible. I would actually love it if we could set that up and maybe I could spend some time with him on the mats and use his facility. It would be incredible. Even just to talk to him, the man he is – he’s been in the game forever – and there’s so much to learn from a guy like Rob.”

How do you think a rematch between Dricus Du Plessis and Robert Whittaker would play out today? Do you believe ‘The Reaper’ can avenge his previous loss to the South African star? Share your thoughts below.