PERTH, Australia – Dricus Du Plessis is prepared to throw down with anybody, however that doesn’t imply he doesn’t have his ideas and opinions on the meritocracy of his division.
The UFC middleweight champion, who accomplished his first title protection with a win over Israel Adesanya this previous Saturday in the primary occasion of UFC 305, is anticipated to face Sean Strickland subsequent. This can be a struggle that pursuits Du Plessis (22-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC), however not one he finds to be probably the most logical.
“Robert Whittaker deserves the shot,” Du Plessis advised reporters on the UFC 305 post-fight press convention. “I feel he’s being accomplished over. Whittaker beat (Paulo) Costa. Sean Strickland’s solely saving grace is the actual fact he went to a choice with me. That’s it. Robert Whittaker beat Costa within the extra spectacular vogue, I consider, than Sean Strickland did. Then prepared to step up and struggle Khamzat (Chimaev), he pulls out, Whittaker fights (Ikram Aliskerov who’s) not a no person within the sense of he’s not ranked. He can solely lose to an incredible fighter. He’s an incredible fighter. He’s actually good. Whittaker made him seem like he was preventing an beginner. And what does he get for it? Nothing.
“Then he says, ‘OK, I’ll struggle Khamzat once more.’ So if he beats Khamzat and also you’re not giving him a title shot? He’s getting the quick finish of the stick. However that’s not on me. I’ll struggle whoever. Strickland proper now’s the struggle folks need, however Whittaker is unquestionably the one which’s being accomplished over, in my view. He’s extra deserving, however life’s not truthful.”
UFC CEO Dana White stated within the construct as much as UFC 305 that Strickland was subsequent in line for the title shot. This stunned many since Robert Whittaker was thought-about by many as probably the most deserving contender.
Whittaker was presupposed to struggle Chimaev final month in a title eliminator, however Chimaev pulled out for well being points. Whittaker went on to knock out alternative Aliskerov. Whittaker and Chimaev are rescheduled to struggle Oct. 26 at UFC 308. Whittaker is 2-0 since his loss to Du Plessis.
Strickland defeated Paulo Costa in June. It’s his solely struggle since shedding his belt to Du Plessis in January in an in depth break up choice.
Du Plessis just isn’t bothered by the competitiveness of their first struggle. He thinks he ought to be preventing Whittaker subsequent, however has no downside revisiting the Strickland matchup.
“I don’t care about silencing the folks (who say I misplaced to Strickland),” Du Plessis stated. “Going into that Strickland struggle, now I do know. I’ve been in there with him. He can’t deal with what I’ve. He can’t deal with what I’ve to supply, so this time I can end him. Yeah, he beat Izzy, however now we’ve got a comparability. That’s the way you end somebody.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 305.
You should definitely go to the MMA Junkie Instagram web page and YouTube channel to debate this and extra content material with followers of combined martial arts.
