UFC 300 is coming up fast, but Dricus Du Plessis would love to defend the middleweight title at the historic event — if he wins at UFC 297, and stays healthy.
Dricus Du Plessis is making no promises, but he’d love to defend the UFC middleweight title at UFC 300 … if he can take the title off Sean Strickland this Saturday in Toronto.
Du Plessis and Strickland throw down on January 20th at UFC 297, and the bookies have “Stillknocks” as a very slight +100 dog to “Tarzan.” That’s the kind of respect betting outlets are giving Strickland after he took out -770 favorite Israel Adesanya in his last fight. Speaking of Adesanya, the former champ will be in Canada to watch the main event … and possibly enter the cage to challenge the winner to a fight?
If it’s Dricus Du Plessis standing with the belt, he’s hoping to be physically ready to fight at UFC 300.
While Dricus didn’t mention Adesanya, that’s clearly a fight worthy of UFC 300.
“Listen, if there’s one thing I’ve learned from this industry is ‘Don’t say anything about after a fight,’” Du Plessis said at UFC 297 media day. “Because they will crucify you whether you’re injured or not. But let me tell you this: [UFC 300] would be ideal. That would be an ideal situation. I would love to fight UFC 300. As a champion, it doesn’t get much much bigger than that. Except if we take it to South Africa.”
Adesanya and Du Plessis have already faced off in the cage when the South African defeated Robert Whittaker at UFC 290. A fight never came together due to a Dricus foot injury, opening the door to Sean Strickland fighting — and beating — Adesanya. So “The Last Stylebender” could be very happy to face either man in the future.
Would it be at UFC 300 in April? That’s unclear. A possibly injured Adesanya has been suggesting a return to action could happen soon, but he’s also repeatedly said he’s trying to be patient with his comeback. There’s also Khamzat Chimaev — if he can enter the U.S. these days.
Even if Dricus or Sean are ready to turn things around in three months, does the UFC have a potential middleweight title showdown penciled in for their historic 300th pay-per-view? If something’s going to happen, we have no doubt it’ll happen fast after Strickland and Du Plessis fight at UFC 297.