Dricus du Plessis, the South African MMA sensation, didn’t hold back when he recently weighed in on Israel Adesanya’s performance at UFC 293. In a surprising turn of events, Sean Strickland stepped in for du Plessis due to an injury, and he managed to outstrike and upset Adesanya to claim the UFC middleweight title.
Du Plessis, who had been diligently studying Adesanya’s fighting style in preparation for their match, had a keen eye on Adesanya from the beginning. He noted that something seemed off about the champion, even before the fight started. According to du Plessis, Adesanya didn’t fight the way we’ve come to expect from him. In fact, he boldly stated, “That was the worst Izzy we’ve ever seen in the cage.”
This sentiment was shared by many fans and experts who had expected Adesanya, the heavy betting favorite, to dominate Strickland. But Strickland had other plans. He put on a remarkable performance, showcasing his striking skills and even coming close to finishing Adesanya in the first round.
Du Plessis, while giving credit to Strickland, believes that if he had been the one facing Adesanya that night, the fight would have ended in the first round. He emphasized that he wouldn’t have let Adesanya recover after that early flurry. Du Plessis also pointed out that he had previously fought Robert Whittaker, and that fight had lasted longer than Adesanya’s bout with Strickland would have.
Acknowledging Strickland’s courage in stepping up to such a significant opportunity and handling the immense pressure with aplomb, du Plessis added that Strickland fought exactly the way he always does, but he executed his game plan exceptionally well.
Now, with Strickland as the UFC middleweight champion, du Plessis is eager to pursue his own path to the title. While an Adesanya rematch could be on the horizon, du Plessis is primarily focused on capturing the belt. He made it clear that his priority is becoming the champion, and if that happens, he would gladly accept a fight with Adesanya as his first title defense.
Du Plessis has his sights set on a potential showdown with Strickland, ideally in December. He’s ready to seize the opportunity and make his mark on the division. And who knows, if all goes according to plan, we might witness a blockbuster championship defense at UFC 300.
In the ever-evolving world of MMA, du Plessis is determined to carve out his own legacy and etch his name in the annals of UFC history. For now, all eyes are on the pursuit of gold, and the anticipation of what the future holds for this talented fighter is palpable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about UFC 293 Adesanya vs. Strickland
Q: What happened at UFC 293 between Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland?
A: At UFC 293, Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland were initially slated to face each other in a highly anticipated match. However, due to an injury, Dricus du Plessis, who had recently defeated Robert Whittaker, couldn’t make the quick turnaround, leading to Strickland stepping in to challenge Adesanya. To the surprise of many, Strickland put on an impressive performance, outstriking Adesanya over 25 minutes and ultimately claiming the UFC middleweight title.
Q: Why did Dricus du Plessis believe that Israel Adesanya had an off night at UFC 293?
A: Dricus du Plessis, who had extensively studied Adesanya’s fighting style, believed that Adesanya appeared different and “off” even before the fight began. In du Plessis’ opinion, Adesanya didn’t fight up to his usual standards during the match. He emphasized that it was not just Strickland’s skill that led to Adesanya’s performance but also Adesanya’s apparent deviation from his typical fighting style.
Q: What were the expectations for the Adesanya vs. Strickland fight at UFC 293?
A: Heading into the fight, Israel Adesanya was a significant betting favorite, with many fans and experts anticipating his victory. Dricus du Plessis himself admitted that he gave Sean Strickland less than a 1 percent chance of winning. However, Strickland defied expectations and secured a victory over Adesanya.
Q: How does Dricus du Plessis believe he would have fared against Adesanya at UFC 293?
A: Dricus du Plessis was confident that if he had faced Adesanya that night, he would have finished the fight in the first round. He believed that Adesanya wouldn’t have been able to recover from the flurry of strikes that Strickland landed. Du Plessis also pointed out that his previous fight with Robert Whittaker had gone longer than the Adesanya vs. Strickland bout.
Q: What is Dricus du Plessis’ future plan in the UFC middleweight division?
A: Dricus du Plessis expressed a strong desire to pursue the UFC middleweight title. While he acknowledged the possibility of a rematch with Israel Adesanya, he made it clear that his immediate focus is on becoming the champion. Du Plessis stated that once he secures the belt, he would be open to defending it against Adesanya as his first title defense.
Q: When does Dricus du Plessis hope to fight for the UFC middleweight title?
A: Dricus du Plessis has his sights set on a potential championship bout with Sean Strickland, ideally aiming for a fight in December. He is prepared and eager to seize the opportunity and make his mark in the division. If all goes according to plan, we might witness this significant championship defense at UFC 300.
Q: What are Dricus du Plessis’ aspirations in the world of MMA?
A: In the dynamic world of MMA, Dricus du Plessis is determined to create his own legacy and establish himself as a prominent figure in the UFC. His immediate goal is to capture the middleweight title and solidify his position as a top fighter in the division.
More about UFC 293 Adesanya vs. Strickland
- UFC 293 Results: Official UFC page with results and details about UFC 293.
- Israel Adesanya’s Profile: Learn more about Israel Adesanya, the former UFC middleweight champion.
- Sean Strickland’s Profile: Explore the background of Sean Strickland, the new UFC middleweight champion.
- Dricus du Plessis’ UFC Journey: Discover Dricus du Plessis’ journey in the UFC, including his recent victories and upcoming fights.
- UFC 300: Stay updated on future UFC events, including the possibility of a championship defense at UFC 300.
- Dana White’s Comments: Read Dana White’s remarks regarding potential rematches and title shots in the UFC middleweight division.
