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Dricus Du Plessis claims win over Israel Adesanya puts him in GOAT debate: ‘This is where I take over’

Dricus du Plessis claims win over Israel Adesanya enters him into GOAT debate UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis thinks a win over Israel Adesanya will put him into the GOAT conversation…

UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis thinks a win over Israel Adesanya will put him into the GOAT conversation at middleweight.

Du Plessis is undefeated in the UFC and coming off a decision win over Sean Strickland to win the middleweight title. Heading into his first title defense at UFC 305 in Australia against Adesanya, he believes a win over the former champ will help cement his legacy as an all-time great.

“I’ve always looked at Israel Adesanya as the benchmark,” Du Plessis told Fox West Texas. “Now, ‘Izzy’ became a champion a long time ago, and I’ve looked at him and always knew this is where I need to be if I ever want to be the best in the world. This is the benchmark.

“He is one of the greatest to ever do it, and this fight for me is going to put me in that position. This is where I take over as one of the greatest to ever do it. This is where my years of building and climbing that ladder is going to a point where I am now the guy that’s one of the greatest to ever do it.”

Dricus du Plessis taunts Israel Adesanya into UFC title fight be a man of your word and let's do this — Mandatory Credit: Vaughan Ridley

Although Du Plessis believes he can enter the GOAT conversation with a win over Adesanya, the South African will need several more title defenses to be considered the 185lbs GOAT due to the reign of Anderson Silva. But, beating Adesanya no doubt puts him on the right track.

Dricus Du Plessis says Israel Adesanya will prove he belongs

Although Dricus Du Plessis enters his UFC 305 fight as the middleweight champion, he knows people are overlooking him and counting him out.

With that, Dricus Du Plessis says his fight will prove to everyone just how good he is and prove he is the legit champion.

“He’s a very smart fighter,” du Plessis said on Adesanya. “He figures out his opponents, and he sets a lot of traps. He does it incredibly well. So, for me, this fight is just like how beating Robert Whittaker was. It’s a fight that people don’t think you’re going to win. It’s a hard fight.

“I’m fighting against arguably one of the greatest middleweights ever, and I have to go out there and prove that I am that guy. That’s what this fight is going to mean to me. It’s going to mean I told you I belong here. This fight is going to mean that Dricus du Plessis is now in the conversation of being one of the greatest middleweights ever,” Du Plessis said.

Du Plessis is 21-2 as a pro and is coming off a split decision win over Sean Strickland to become the middleweight champion. He’s 7-0 in the UFC and has notable wins over Robert Whittaker, Darren Till, Derek Brunson, and Brad Tavares.

Robert Whittaker ready for redemption against Du Plessis and Adesanya after brutal Aliskerov knockout

After making a statement against Ikram Aliskerov in Saudi Arabia, Robert Whittaker is ready for a bit of redemption….

After making a statement against Ikram Aliskerov in Saudi Arabia, Robert Whittaker is ready for a bit of redemption.

Stepping inside Kingdom Arena in Riyadh for a scrap with one of the middleweight division’s most exciting prospects, ‘The Reaper’ delivered a highlight-reel-worthy finish in the opening round, blasting Aliskerov with a right hand followed by a KO-inducing uppercut less than two minutes into the scrap.

OH MY GOODNESS! ROBERT WHITTAKER KNOCKS OUT IKRAM ALISKEROV IN THE FIRST ROUND!#UFCSaudiArabia #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/I6FoXv0rBQ

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 22, 2024

With the victory, Whittaker is right back in the title picture at 185 and will be setting his sights on the upcoming clash between reigning middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in August.

With ‘Stillknocks’ and the ‘Stylebender’ being the only two men to have beaten Whittaker in the last decade, ‘The Reaper’ has redemption on his mind. Particularly when it comes to Du Plessis, a man Whittaker believes he is truly better than.

“Look at the paperwork. Since that fight, I’ve only improved,’ Whittaker said, referring to his UFC 290 fight with DDP during Saturday’s post-fight press conference. “I’m not saying if I was on I would’ve beaten him. I’m not going to take that away from him,” Whittaker said. “He turned up on the day and beat me fair and square, and now he’s the world champion because of it; he’s a good fighter and he’s good at what he does.

“But I know I can do better. Will I beat him? Maybe he gets his hand raised again. But I know I can do better and I know I didn’t put my best foot forward in that fight, and I want to run it back because of that.”

Israel Adesanya is still on Robert Whittaker’s hit list

Of course, Robert Whittaker hasn’t forgotten about Israel Adesanya. Coming up short against the former two-time titleholder on two separate occasions, ‘Bobby Knuckles’ believes he’s more than ready to finally solve the puzzle and establish himself as the best middleweight in the world.

“Adesanya is still on that list. My goal in mixed martial arts is to live up to my own potential. That’s the only thing I want to achieve. I know how good I am. I’m the most dangerous middleweight on the planet, and everyone knows that. But they are big shoes to fill.

“That’s the only thing I ask for before I step in the Octagon, to live up to my own potential. Tonight, I think I did that.”

After suffering a second-round knockout against Adesanya at UFC 243, ‘The Reaper’ put on a much stronger showing in their 2022 rematch, though the ‘Stylebender’ still went home with his gold via a unanimous decision.

Whittaker truly feels that the third time will be the charm, and with Adesanya’s return to the Octagon right around the corner, he could be closer than ever to finally bagging that elusive third fight against his Nigerian nemesis.

Israel Adesanya warns Dricus du Plessis with UFC 305 title fight official: ‘Don’t be afraid. Be terrified’

Former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya is officially slated to meet with incumbent divisional titleholder, Dricus du Plessis…

Former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya is officially slated to meet with incumbent divisional titleholder, Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305 in two months’ time – and has warned him to be “terrified” to face him in Perth.

Adesanya, a former two-time middleweight gold holder, has been sidelined since last September, suffering a stunning upset title loss to Sean Strickland in the pair’s championship fight ‘Downunder’.

As for South African star, du Plessis, the incumbent middleweight champion headlined UFC 297 back in January, landing a controversial split decision win over the above-mentioned common-opponent, Strickland in Canada.

Israel Adesanya issues warning to Dricus du Plessis

Now officially scheduled to headline UFC 305 in Australia against reigning champion, du Plessis as he vows to become a three-time titleholder at 185lbs, Adesanya released a promotional video ahead of his fight with the Pretoria native – which included a steadfast warning to him.

Without a victory since April of last year in Miami, Adesanya managed to land his second middleweight title in undisputed fashion, rallying to finish current light heavyweight kingpin, Alex Pereira with a stunning second round KO in ‘The Sunshine State’.

Israel Adesanya reveals he's getting ready for fighting return amid links to UFC 305 clash with Dricus du Plessis — Mandatory Credit: Jasmin Frank – USA TODAY Sports

With his defeat to the previously mentioned, Strickland, Adesanya set an unwanted record by becoming the first fighter in the history of the organization to lose his championship title twice in the space of a calendar year.

Forever linked with a return on likely hostile territory in Perth, du Plessis claimed that any chance Adesanya had of fighting him came on his terms strictly.

Who do you think wins at UFC 305: Dricus du Plessis or Israel Adesanya?

Breaking – Dricus du Plessis officially set to fight Israel Adesanya in title grudge match at UFC 305 in Perth

Officially slated to headline UFC 305 in two months’ time, an undisputed middleweight title fight between the incumbent, Dricus…

Officially slated to headline UFC 305 in two months’ time, an undisputed middleweight title fight between the incumbent, Dricus du Plessis, and former two-time gold holder, Israel Adesanya will close the curtain on August 18. at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.

du Plessis, the current undisputed middleweight champion, most recently headlined UFC 297 back in January in Canada, landing the divisional crown with a contentious split decision win over common-foe, Sean Strickland.

As for City Kickboxing star, Adesanya, the former two-time middleweight champion has been sidelined since September, dropping his gold for the second time in the space of a calendar year in the form of a decision loss to Sean Strickland.

Dricus du Plessis headlines UFC 305 with Israel Adesanya

Speculation was rife that Israel Adesanya was set to take on du Plessis at UFC 305 this summer – with the former teasing a fan-made poster of a card featuring him at the Pretoria native, with the organization confirming the pairing on social media tonight.

“IT’S OFFICIAL,” UFC posted. “The middleweight title will be on the line in Perth.”

First expected to take on Adesanya at the previously mentioned UFC 293 event in Australia, du Plessis saw his title charge taken over by Strickland – remaining sidelined following a devastating second round TKO win over Robert Whittaker amid lingering injuries.

Israel Adesanya vows to bring back vicious technique in UFC return I'm tuning it up — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Without a victory since April of last year in Florida, Nigerian-Kiwi striking ace, Adesanya avenged a prior knockout loss to current light heavyweight best, Alex Pereira with a stunning second round KO to reclaim the middleweight crown.

Who wins at UFC 305 later this summer: Dricus du Plessis or Israel Adesanya?

Israel Adesanya confirms UFC 305 title fight with Dricus Du Plessis: ‘The sun will set and rise again’

Israel Adesanya seemingly confirmed he will be fighting at UFC 305 in Australia. After Alex Pereira was booked to…

Israel Adesanya seemingly confirmed he will be fighting at UFC 305 in Australia.

After Alex Pereira was booked to fight Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303, which was rumored to headline UFC 305, it appears Adesanya will now take on Dricus Du Plessis for the middleweight title his next time out.

Taking to social media, Adesanya shared a fan-made poster with Adesanya vs. Du Plessis at UFC 305 in the bottom corner, with a unique quote.

“The SUN of Africa is the same sun that lights up our planet. The SUN will set and will rise again until you walk into it. The SUN, enjoy while it shines. Darkness falls when it’s gone,” Adesanya wrote on X.

Although the UFC hasn’t confirmed Du Plessis vs. Adesanya, ‘The Last Stylebender’ seemingly confirmed all the rumors that this fight will happen in Australia. It is a fight that has been brewing for over a year and the two will now finally share the Octagon with one another.

UFC 305 is set to take place on August 17 (August 18 in Australia), in Perth.

Israel Adesanya (24-3) hasn’t fought since September when he suffered a stunning decision loss to Sean Strickland to lose his middleweight title. Before that, he scored a KO win over Alex Pereira to reclaim his middleweight title. Adesanya is 1-2 in his last three fights but is looking to become a three-time middleweight champion.

Dricus Du Plessis (21-2) won the middleweight title back in January with a split decision win over Strickland. The South African is 7-0 in the UFC as he also holds notable wins over Robert Whittaker, Derek Brunson, Darren Till, and Brad Tavares among others.

UFC 305 Fight Card

Currently, UFC 305 is as follows:

Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya
Steve Erceg vs. Kai Kara-France
Tom Nolan vs. Alex Reyes
Casey O’Neill vs. Tereza Bleda

Photo – Leaked footage appears to show Israel Adesanya headlining UFC 305 fight card in Australia

UFC CEO Dana White seems to accidently release several names who will feature on the upcoming UFC 305 card…

UFC CEO Dana White seems to accidently release several names who will feature on the upcoming UFC 305 card in Perth, Australia.

September 10. 2023 was the last time the UFC held an event in Australia when Sean Strickland famously upset Israel Adesanya in the main event of the night. UFC 305 is set to fall sometime in August and currently only has two fights booked – Tom Noland vs. Alex Reyes and Casey O’Neill vs. Tereza Bleda.

The grudge match between Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis has been rumoured to be the main event of the night for some time now but no official announcement has been made.

However, it does appear that Israel Adesanya at least will be confirmed for the card after a video posted by Dana White appeared to show the former middleweight champion, and others featured in the video.

Israel Adesanya features in leaked UFC 305 fight card footage

This list of potentially leaked fighters also includes Song Yadong, Jack Della Maddalena, Steve Erceg and Drakkar Klose.

Adesanya has not fought since his shock loss to Strickland and has claimed he intended to take an extended break from the sport. Now though, the 34-year-old seems ready and motivated to return to the cage.

Israel Adesanya backed to struggle in Khamzat Chimaev fight in future he's not gonna win UFC — Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

“How excited am I to get back in the octagon? I’m excited,” Adesanya said via his YouTube channel. “I’m excited, it’s been a year — almost a year, like 11 months by the time I get back in the octagon. People are like, ‘Oh, I hope you get the belt back, I hope you get the belt back,’ I have belts. I don’t need any more belts. I’m coming for heads. That’s what I want to do.

“Just a few that I have to touch, and take.”

Last year the UFC signed a deal with multi-million dollar deal that would see them return to Australia on several occasions.

Who wins, Israel Adesanya or Dricus Du Plessis?