Dricus Du Plessis was expected to challenge Israel Adesanya at UFC 293. Instead, that fight went to Sean Strickland, who stunned Adesanya and claimed the middleweight championship. Now, Du Plessis is looking to secure himself a shot at the new titleholder.
Dricus Du Plessis Wants First Crack At Sean Strickland’s UFC Title
For Dricus Du Plessis, the next move is to be the first challenger to the UFC middleweight title reign of Sean Strickland.
Strickland stunned Israel Adesanya for the title this past weekend at UFC 293.
The unbeaten UFC fighter is coming off his own shocking performance, finishing former champion Robert Whittaker earlier this year. Du Plessis is 20-2 overall and a perfect 6-0 inside the Octagon.
“Me & (Strickland) had the biggest upsets of 2023 so let’s settle this like men I’m ready,” Du Plessis posted on social media. “After that (Adesanya) can get a hiding in Africa. I don’t want to fight the amateur that fought on Sat I want to beat the best Adesanya, take some time and get your shit together first.”
Me & @SStricklandMMA had the biggest upsets of 2023 so let’s settle this like men I’m ready. After that @stylebender can get a hiding in Africa I don’t want to fight the amateur that fought on Sat I want to beat the best Adysanya, take some time and get your shit together first.
UFC president Dana White has made it known that an immediate rematch between Strickland and Adesanya makes sense. Du Plessis bowed out of the planned fight with an injury, which did not sit well with White.
Du Plessis, a 29-year-old from South Africa, has topped Whittaker, Derek Brunson, Darren Till and Brad Tavares in his last four fights. Three of those wins have come by finish, with two of them earning him a fight-night bonus in the process.
Dricus Du Plessis Squares Off With Israel Adesanya
