Tag: dricus du plessis

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Leon Edwards is ‘top choice’ for UFC 300 main event, DDP vs. Adesanya also rumored

UFC 300Ariel Helwani dropped a potential bombshell on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour, revealing that the UFC is frantically…

UFC 300

Ariel Helwani dropped a potential bombshell on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour, revealing that the UFC is frantically working to put together a welterweight title clash between reigning champion Leon Edwards and undefeated Chechen monster Khamzat Chimaev for the UFC 300 main event.

After making a series of fast and furious announcements regarding April 13th’s massive landmark event in Las Vegas, UFC CEO Dana White has gone radio silent. According to Helwani, the promotion knows which fight they want to announce for the highly anticipated headliner, but securing Chimaev’s entry into the United States is becoming increasingly difficult.

“If the UFC had their way… If they could snap their fingers and make the biggest fight in their mind happen — and the fight that they’ve been working on happen — and have their say as to what is the main event for UFC 300, I think that they would make Leon Edwards vs. Khamzat Chimaev. I believe when Dana White is talking bout the hurdles and the issues, I believe that’s about securing Khamzat’s ability to fight in the United States.

“This has been rumored for quite some time that he has issues coming over to the States. The last time he fought here was in Jacksonville almost two years ago. I believe that’s been part of the holdup. If they can’t secure that matchup, I believe they would look at Khamzat vs. [Dricus Du Plessis], but I think the top choice is Leon vs. Khamzat.”

Chimaev’s struggles to obtain a temporary work visa could be related to his close relationship with the Head of the Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov. Frequently employing totalitarian and repressive tactics in his rule, Kadyrov has come under criticism for a wide array of human rights abuses, including forced disappearance, torture, assassinations, and anti-gay purges in his country. He has also played a role in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The UFC is circling multiple potential headliners for April 13

Depending on how things play out with Khamzat Chimaev, the UFC has a few contingency plans in place according to Helwani. Aside from the heavily rumored middleweight title tilt between the newly crowned king of the division — Dricus Du Plessis — and former two-time champ Israel Adesanya, the UFC is also keeping a potential 170-pound showdown between Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad in its back pocket.

We will go out on a limb and say that Edwards vs. Muhammad is likely the least enticing option for both the promotion and the fans. Of course, the prospect of Khamzat Chimaev’s return to welterweight will certainly raise some eyebrows. After all, the last time he was scheduled to compete in the weight class, he stepped on the scale eight pounds over the limit.

Which potential headliner would you most be excited to see at UFC 300?

Dricus du Plessis unsure of Israel Adesanya fight at UFC 300: ‘I’m not going to be fully recovered’

Dricus du Plessis rules out UFC 300 title fight with Israel Adesanya I'm not going to be recoveredDricus du Plessis claims that while competing at a monumental UFC 300 card in April – the newly-minted middleweight…

Dricus du Plessis rules out UFC 300 title fight with Israel Adesanya I'm not going to be recovered

Dricus du Plessis claims that while competing at a monumental UFC 300 card in April – the newly-minted middleweight kingpin has no interest in potentially landing a bout with Israel Adesanya as soon as the event, particularly if he’s going to be fighting potentially compromised.

du Plessis, the newly-crowned undisputed middleweight champion, headlined UFC 297 just last month in Canada, narrowly edging out then-champion, Sean Strickland in his first championship fight under the promotion’s banner, landing the undisputed title.

And immediately welcoming the option of a UFC 300 clash with arch-rival, Adesanya, South African favorite, du Plessis claimed he only issued a call out to the City Kickboxing, after receiving prior knowledge confirming the ex-champion’s ability to make the card.

Dricus du Plessis unsure of UFC 300 fight with Israel Adesanya

However, for himself, Pretoria native, du Plessis claimed that while a spot on the massive pay-per-view card in April would be huge for him, he won’t consider fighting at UFC 300 against Adesanya if he is not fully, one hundred percent recovered from his clash with Strickland.

“I think UFC 300 is obviously going to be a milestone event,” Dricus du Plessis told Jacaranda FM during a recent interview. “I think it’s going to be great. Every time you have the UFC 100, UFC 200, and now UFC 300 – all are massive events and the pay-per-views are insane, it’s a massive hype, and I would love to be part of that.”

“But, not if it’s going to mean that I’m not going to be fully recovered,” Dricus du Plessis continued. “Defending my title is much more important to me than being on this milestone event. The real milestone event will be UFC in Africa, and more importantly, South Africa. I can’t even explain to you how long I’ll be willing to wait to make that happen and defend my belt on home soil. That’s history. UFC 300 is just a number. It’s not as massive as UFC Africa.” 

Do you think Dricus du Plessis x Israel Adesanya headlines a UFC Africa card?

Dricus du Plessis unsure of Israel Adesanya fight at UFC 300: ‘I’m not going to be fully recovered’

Dricus du Plessis rules out UFC 300 title fight with Israel Adesanya I'm not going to be recoveredDricus du Plessis claims that while competing at a monumental UFC 300 card in April – the newly-minted middleweight…

Dricus du Plessis rules out UFC 300 title fight with Israel Adesanya I'm not going to be recovered

Dricus du Plessis claims that while competing at a monumental UFC 300 card in April – the newly-minted middleweight kingpin has no interest in potentially landing a bout with Israel Adesanya as soon as the event, particularly if he’s going to be fighting potentially compromised.

du Plessis, the newly-crowned undisputed middleweight champion, headlined UFC 297 just last month in Canada, narrowly edging out then-champion, Sean Strickland in his first championship fight under the promotion’s banner, landing the undisputed title.

And immediately welcoming the option of a UFC 300 clash with arch-rival, Adesanya, South African favorite, du Plessis claimed he only issued a call out to the City Kickboxing, after receiving prior knowledge confirming the ex-champion’s ability to make the card.

Dricus du Plessis unsure of UFC 300 fight with Israel Adesanya

However, for himself, Pretoria native, du Plessis claimed that while a spot on the massive pay-per-view card in April would be huge for him, he won’t consider fighting at UFC 300 against Adesanya if he is not fully, one hundred percent recovered from his clash with Strickland.

“I think UFC 300 is obviously going to be a milestone event,” Dricus du Plessis told Jacaranda FM during a recent interview. “I think it’s going to be great. Every time you have the UFC 100, UFC 200, and now UFC 300 – all are massive events and the pay-per-views are insane, it’s a massive hype, and I would love to be part of that.”

“But, not if it’s going to mean that I’m not going to be fully recovered,” Dricus du Plessis continued. “Defending my title is much more important to me than being on this milestone event. The real milestone event will be UFC in Africa, and more importantly, South Africa. I can’t even explain to you how long I’ll be willing to wait to make that happen and defend my belt on home soil. That’s history. UFC 300 is just a number. It’s not as massive as UFC Africa.” 

Do you think Dricus du Plessis x Israel Adesanya headlines a UFC Africa card?

Robert Whittaker vows to defeat Dricus du Plessis in rematch after UFC 298: ‘I’m a better fighter than he is’

Robert Whittaker vows to defeat Dricus du Plessis in rematch after UFC 298 I'm a better fighter than himFormer undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker claims that if he fights newly-crowned divisional titleholder, Dricus du Plessis in a…

Robert Whittaker vows to defeat Dricus du Plessis in rematch after UFC 298 I'm a better fighter than him

Former undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker claims that if he fights newly-crowned divisional titleholder, Dricus du Plessis in a rematch after his return to the Octagon at UFC 298 this month, he will avenge his loss to the South African.

Whittaker, a former undisputed middleweight champion and perennial contender at the weight class, has been sidelined since he featured against the Pretoria native in an officially billed title eliminator back in July of last year during International Fight Week.

Suffering his first loss in the division to a fighter other than two-time foe, fellow former kingpin, Israel Adesanya, Whittaker was stopped with a flurry of second round ground strikes following a knockdown for a TKO blemish.

Robert Whittaker eyes rematch with Dricus du Plessis

And drawing former title challenger, Paulo Costa in two weeks’ time at UFC 298 in Anaheim, Whittaker, who vowed to severely “hurt” the Brazilian in their pivotal clash, and when reflecting on his matchup with du Plessis las summer, claimed if they fought again – he beats him nine times out of 10.

“Dricus (du Plessis) is a hungry guy, and I think I underestimated that hunger,” Robert Whittaker told assembled media at a UFC 298 press event in Sydney. “I still believe I beat him nine times out of 10, I still believe that I’m a better fighter than he is, that I have a better skill set than he does, but [fighting] a big, strong, hungry guy that’s willing to leave it all in there, you need to match that. I feel like I didn’t do that in that last fight and it really made me think a little bit.” 

Himself expected to make his own return in a title fight against the above-mentioned, Adesanya, du Plessis has been linked with a massive headlining fight on a monumental UFC 300 card in April. 

Who wins in a title rematch after UFC 298: Dricus du Plessis or Robert Whittaker?

Israel Adesanya hints at UFC 300 main event fight return with 300-Themed poster: ‘The Gods must be crazy’

Israel Adesanya hints at UFC 300 return with 300-themed poster on social media God must be crazyFormer two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya appears to be gearing up for a return to the Octagon at…

Israel Adesanya hints at UFC 300 return with 300-themed poster on social media God must be crazy

Former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya appears to be gearing up for a return to the Octagon at UFC 300 in two months time – amid continues links to a championship charge against arch-rival, Dricus du Plessis atop the monumental card.

Adesanya, a former two-time undisputed middleweight titleholder, has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 293 back in September in Australia, dropping his title in a one-sided unanimous decision loss to Sean Strickland.

And as for South African rival, du Plessis, the newly-crowned middleweight champion headlined UFC 297 back in January against the aforenoted, Strickland – landing the title in a close, split decision win over the outspoken American. 

Israel Adesanya hints at UFC 300 inclusion

Linked with a title fight defense against Adesanya at UFC 300 in April atop the massive flagship card, the latter appears to be gearing up for the potential headlining fight with the Pretoria native in April – sharing a 300-themed poster on his official Instagram Stories overnight. 

“The gods must be crazy,” Israel Adesanya captioned the post on his official social media overnight.

Revealing last month following his title victory how his notable call out of Adesanya was pre-planned, du Plessis’ manager is said to have received information ahead of UFC 297, pertaining to the fact Adesanya may be available in time to compete at UFC 300. 

Adesanya and du Plessis shared the Octagon for a tense, brash face-off back in July of last year at UFC 290 during International Fight Week, with a persistent injury ruling the newly-minted champion from a September title fight with the former kingpin. 

Furthermore, despite his recent run of two losses in his three most recent Octagon walks, City Kickboxing striker, Adesanya has opened and remains a notable betting favorite to beat du Plessis if they share the Octagon before the end of the year. 

Do you think Israel Adesanya headlines UFC 300 in April?

Israel Adesanya hints at UFC 300 main event fight return with 300-Themed poster: ‘The Gods must be crazy’

Israel Adesanya hints at UFC 300 return with 300-themed poster on social media God must be crazyFormer two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya appears to be gearing up for a return to the Octagon at…

Israel Adesanya hints at UFC 300 return with 300-themed poster on social media God must be crazy

Former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya appears to be gearing up for a return to the Octagon at UFC 300 in two months time – amid continues links to a championship charge against arch-rival, Dricus du Plessis atop the monumental card.

Adesanya, a former two-time undisputed middleweight titleholder, has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 293 back in September in Australia, dropping his title in a one-sided unanimous decision loss to Sean Strickland.

And as for South African rival, du Plessis, the newly-crowned middleweight champion headlined UFC 297 back in January against the aforenoted, Strickland – landing the title in a close, split decision win over the outspoken American. 

Israel Adesanya hints at UFC 300 inclusion

Linked with a title fight defense against Adesanya at UFC 300 in April atop the massive flagship card, the latter appears to be gearing up for the potential headlining fight with the Pretoria native in April – sharing a 300-themed poster on his official Instagram Stories overnight. 

“The gods must be crazy,” Israel Adesanya captioned the post on his official social media overnight.

Revealing last month following his title victory how his notable call out of Adesanya was pre-planned, du Plessis’ manager is said to have received information ahead of UFC 297, pertaining to the fact Adesanya may be available in time to compete at UFC 300. 

Adesanya and du Plessis shared the Octagon for a tense, brash face-off back in July of last year at UFC 290 during International Fight Week, with a persistent injury ruling the newly-minted champion from a September title fight with the former kingpin. 

Furthermore, despite his recent run of two losses in his three most recent Octagon walks, City Kickboxing striker, Adesanya has opened and remains a notable betting favorite to beat du Plessis if they share the Octagon before the end of the year. 

Do you think Israel Adesanya headlines UFC 300 in April?