In a recent turn of events at UFC 293, Dricus Du Plessis, the South African MMA sensation, has made it clear that he’s shifting his focus away from Israel Adesanya for the time being. Instead, he’s eyeing a showdown with the new middleweight champion, Sean Strickland, after Strickland’s impressive victory over Adesanya last Saturday.
Du Plessis, known for his candid social media presence, wasted no time in voicing his intentions. On his social media platform, he declared, “Myself and [Strickland] had the biggest upsets of 2023, and I am undoubtedly the No. 1 contender, so let’s settle this like men whenever, wherever. After that, I’ll give [Adesanya] his well-deserved hiding on my home soil, South Africa.”
The anticipation for a Du Plessis-Adesanya showdown had been building for some time, especially after Du Plessis showcased his prowess with a dominant second-round TKO victory over former champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 290 in Las Vegas last July. This victory not only extended Du Plessis’ undefeated UFC record to 6-0 but also bolstered his overall professional record to an impressive 20-2.
However, the MMA world was briefly robbed of the opportunity to witness this heated rivalry play out when an injury prevented Du Plessis from making a quick turnaround for UFC 293. This unexpected turn of events led to Sean Strickland stepping in to face Adesanya instead.
Du Plessis now sets his sights firmly on Strickland, with the intention of facing Adesanya at a later date. In his characteristically bold style, he commented, “That being said, I don’t want to beat the amateur that fought on Saturday night. I want to beat the best [Adesanya], so take some time and get your stuff together.”
While Du Plessis seems resolute in his quest to challenge Strickland, he may need to do some convincing with UFC President Dana White, who expressed interest in an immediate rematch between Strickland and Adesanya at the UFC 293 post-fight press conference.
As the MMA world eagerly awaits the outcome of this intriguing drama, one thing is for certain: Dricus Du Plessis is not one to shy away from challenges, and his pursuit of championship gold continues to captivate fans worldwide. Stay tuned for what promises to be an electrifying journey through the ever-enthralling world of mixed martial arts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about MMA Grudge Match
Q: Who is Dricus Du Plessis, and what happened at UFC 293?
A: Dricus Du Plessis is a South African MMA fighter. At UFC 293, he shifted his focus to challenge Sean Strickland, the new middleweight champion, after Strickland defeated Israel Adesanya. Du Plessis called out Strickland for a future fight.
Q: Why did Dricus Du Plessis change his plans to fight Israel Adesanya?
A: Du Plessis changed his plans because Sean Strickland defeated Adesanya at UFC 293, making Strickland the new champion. Du Plessis now sees Strickland as his immediate goal for a title fight.
Q: How did Dricus Du Plessis become a contender for the middleweight title?
A: Du Plessis solidified his contender status with a dominant second-round TKO victory over former champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 290. This victory improved his UFC record to 6-0 and his overall pro record to 20-2.
Q: Was there a previous expectation of a fight between Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya?
A: Yes, there was an expectation of a fight between Du Plessis and Adesanya after Du Plessis’s victory over Whittaker. They had a heated confrontation, but an injury prevented Du Plessis from taking the fight at UFC 293.
Q: What is Dricus Du Plessis’s message to Israel Adesanya?
A: Du Plessis made it clear that he wants to face the best version of Adesanya. He stated that he doesn’t want to fight the “amateur” that showed up at UFC 293 and urged Adesanya to take some time to prepare for their future matchup.
Q: What is Dana White’s stance on a potential fight between Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya?
A: Dana White expressed interest in an immediate rematch between Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya at the UFC 293 post-fight press conference. Du Plessis may need to convince White of his plan to challenge Strickland first.
More about MMA Grudge Match
- Dricus Du Plessis Calls Out Sean Strickland After UFC 293
- Sean Strickland Defeats Israel Adesanya at UFC 293
- Dricus Du Plessis Dominant Victory Over Robert Whittaker
- Dana White’s Comments on UFC 293 Rematch
1 comment
is adesanya gonna accept the challenge tho?