When Israel Adesanya faced a surprising defeat at the hands of Sean Strickland in 2023, it came as a shock to many considering Adesanya’s recent achievements in the UFC middleweight division. Adesanya, who had previously beaten Alex Pereira, was anticipated to win against Strickland and set the stage for a future clash with Dricus du Plessis. However, Strickland outperformed Adesanya in a five-round battle, claiming victory in a startling unanimous decision.
Du Plessis, who was slated to fight the winner of the Adesanya vs. Strickland fight, was taken aback by the result initially. Yet, his perspective shifted after facing Strickland himself and narrowly emerging victorious by split decision in January. Du Plessis recognized that Strickland’s aggressive approach and solid defense presented formidable obstacles for Adesanya, leading him to reconsider the magnitude of the upset.
With an upcoming match against Adesanya at UFC 305, du Plessis is eager to showcase his skills in the much-anticipated showdown. Despite playing down any personal rivalry with Adesanya, du Plessis is focused on providing an exhilarating spectacle for fans and is ready to take on any opponent who can deliver an entertaining fight. He is open to the idea of a rematch with Strickland following a hint from UFC CEO Dana White.
Du Plessis is willing to compete against top contenders such as Khamzat Chimaev and Robert Whittaker, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each potential matchup. His main objective is to face the toughest competition available, leaving the decision on his next adversary to the fans and the UFC.
