Tag: dricus du plessis

Israel Adesanya calls for title fight with Dricus du Plessis next ahead of UFC 290 return: ‘Please win’

Israel Adesanya calls for fight with Dricus du Plessis next please win at UFC 290Undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has called for surging South African contender, Dricus du Plessis to “please win” in his upcoming UFC 290 title-eliminator against former division champion, Robert Whittaker in July, as he looks to fight the #6 ranked contender next. Over the course of the weekend, UFC president, Dana White confirmed a high-stakes […]

Israel Adesanya calls for fight with Dricus du Plessis next please win at UFC 290

Undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has called for surging South African contender, Dricus du Plessis to “please win” in his upcoming UFC 290 title-eliminator against former division champion, Robert Whittaker in July, as he looks to fight the #6 ranked contender next.

Over the course of the weekend, UFC president, Dana White confirmed a high-stakes addition to this summer’s UFC 290 card during International Fight Week – with an official middleweight title-eliminator between the above-mentioned, Whittaker, and du Plessis added to the July pay-per-view.

Furthermore, White confirmed that the victor of the T-Mobile Arena clash in Las Vegas, Nevada – would then go on to fight undisputed middleweight titleholder, Adesanya later this year in a return to Sydney, Australia for the promotion.

Reclaiming the undisputed middleweight crown at UFC 287 earlier this month, Nigerian-Kiwi striker, Israel Adesanya landed a stunning second round knockout win over Alex Pereira in the pair’s championship rematch. 

In the immediate aftermath of the title reclamation, City Kickboxing staple, Adesanya welcomed a future fight with former KSW champion, du Plessis – claiming he would drag the Pethora native’s “carcass” across his native South Africa – urging him to continue his promotional-perfect run.

In the midst of a five-fight undefeated run since his transition to the UFC back in 2020, du Plessis most recently landed impressive stoppage wins over former welterweight title challenger, Darren Till, and in March, stopped common-foe, Derek Brunson. 

Israel Adesanya urges Dricus du Plessis to win at UFC 290 in July

Welcoming the possibility of a fresh matchup against du Plessis – having twice previously landed victories over the aforenoted, Whittaker in championship fights, Adesanya urged the South African to win at UFC 290 in July.

“Please win,” Israel Adesanya tweeted in response to Dricus du Plessis overnight. 

As for Whittaker, the former undisputed middleweight champion rebounded to the winner’s enclosure at UFC Fight Night Paris back in September in a one-sided unanimous decision win over Marvin Vettori in the promotion’s first outing in France. 

Official – Robert Whittaker fights Dricus du Plessis in title-Eliminator at UFC 290 in July

Robert Whittaker fights Dricus du Plessis at UFC 290 in July title-eliminatorFormer undisputed UFC middleweight champion, #2 ranked contender, Robert Whittaker is set to make his Octagon return at UFC 290 on July 8. during International Fight Week – taking on streaking South African contender, Dricus du Plessis at the flagship Las Vegas, Nevada event. Whittaker, who most recently co-headlined UFC Fight Night Paris back in […]

Robert Whittaker fights Dricus du Plessis at UFC 290 in July title-eliminator

Former undisputed UFC middleweight champion, #2 ranked contender, Robert Whittaker is set to make his Octagon return at UFC 290 on July 8. during International Fight Week – taking on streaking South African contender, Dricus du Plessis at the flagship Las Vegas, Nevada event.

Whittaker, who most recently co-headlined UFC Fight Night Paris back in September of last year, defeated one-time title challenger, Marvin Vettori in a one-sided unanimous judging victory in the promotion’s debut in France.

As for du Plessis, the streaking #6 ranked challenger managed to continue his promotional-perfect run under the organizational banner at UFC 285 back in March, securing a second round corner’s stoppage TKO win over veteran contender, Derek Brunson.

Robert Whittaker or Dricus du Plessis will fight Israel Adesanya later this year

UFC president, Dana White confirmed Robert Whittaker’s return in a title-eliminator against Dricus du Plessis on his official social media – with the victor expected to fight champion, Israel Adesanya at a pay-per-view event targeted for Sydney, Australia later this year.

Twice sharing the Octagon with newly minted champion, Adesanya during his professional career, Robert Whittaker, a former undisputed champion himself, suffered a second round KO loss to the Nigerian-Kiwi in their 2019 title unification clash.

And in February of last year, the fan-favorite technician managed to force Adesanya the distance over the course of five rounds in their championship re-run, dropping a unanimous decision loss to the City Kickboxing staple.

Finding himself on the receiving end of some social media stick from Adesanya earlier today, du Plessis has campaigned tirelessly for a title tilt against the former since he reclaimed the middleweight title from Alex Pereira at UFC 287 earlier this month, to no avail it seems.

Making his Octagon tenure back in July 2020, du Plessis, a former KSW champion has landed notable UFC victories over the likes of Brad Tavares, and former welterweight title chaser, promotional alum, Darren Till. 

Israel Adesanya mocks UFC rival Dricus du Plessis following nose surgery: ‘Look at my nostrils’

Israel Adesanya mocks Dricus du Plessis following nose surgery lol look at my nostrilsUFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has poked fun at division contender, Dricus du Plessis after the South African underwent a surgical procedure to address a nose injury, which reportedly limited him to just eight per cent oxygen intake during his Octagon tenure.  Adesanya, the current and two-time undisputed middleweight champion, recently headlined UFC 287 against […]

Israel Adesanya mocks Dricus du Plessis following nose surgery lol look at my nostrils

UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has poked fun at division contender, Dricus du Plessis after the South African underwent a surgical procedure to address a nose injury, which reportedly limited him to just eight per cent oxygen intake during his Octagon tenure. 

Adesanya, the current and two-time undisputed middleweight champion, recently headlined UFC 287 against Alex Pereira, reclaiming his undisputed title with a second round knockout win over the Brazilian.

In the immediate aftermath of the Miami, Florida main event, Israel Adesanya was linked with a slew of next outings, including a return to light heavyweight in pursuit of a title fight with Jamahal Hill – as well as a title defense at 185lbs against South African contender, du Plessis.

In the midst of a five-fight winning run, du Plesiss, the current #6 ranked challenger managed to land recent victories over both Darren Till, and Derek Brunson since December of last year.

And welcoming a title defense against the Pethora native off the back of his win over arch-rival, Pereira, Adesanya claimed he would drag the carcass of du Plessis across his native country – leading to a heated response from the latter.

Israel Adesanya pokes fun at Dricus du Plessis

Recently undergoing a surgical procedure in order to address a nose injury which reportedly limited him to just an eight per cent oxygen intake over the last three years of his career, du Plessis’ issue was mocked and poked fun at by Adesanya on his official social media.

“Lol he (Dricus du Plessis) only on 8%” Israel Adesanya tweeted. “Look at my nostrils.” 

Targeting a quickfire Octagon comeback off the back of his rematch win over Pereira earlier this month, UFC president, Dana White confirmed that Adesanya had contacted him and promotional brass in search of a fight before the close of this summer’s UFC schedule. 

Kelvin Gastelum suggests title-Eliminator against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 290 in July

Kelvin Gastelum calls for summer fight with Dricus du Plessis UFC 290With both vying for a middleweight championship fight against Israel Adesanya, Kelvin Gastelum has suggested himself and South African contender, Dricus du Plessis should share the Octagon during International Fight Week in July at UFC 290, in a division championship eliminator. Himself recently featuring at UFC 287 earlier this month on the preliminary card of […]

Kelvin Gastelum calls for summer fight with Dricus du Plessis UFC 290

With both vying for a middleweight championship fight against Israel Adesanya, Kelvin Gastelum has suggested himself and South African contender, Dricus du Plessis should share the Octagon during International Fight Week in July at UFC 290, in a division championship eliminator.

Himself recently featuring at UFC 287 earlier this month on the preliminary card of the flagship event, one-time interim title challenger, Kelvin Gastelum returned to the winner’s enclosure for the first time since 2021 with a unanimous decision win over Chris Curtis.

As for du Plessis, the Pethora native extended his promotional-perfect Octagon run to five straight fights with a second round corner’s stoppage TKO victory over Derek Brunson at UFC 285 back in March. The victory propelled du Plessis to #6 in the official middleweight ranks.

Kelvin Gastelum eyes summer fight with Dricus du Plessis

Calling for a championship rematch against the above-mentioned, Adesanya off the back of his victory over Curtis in the ‘Sunshine State’ – Gastelum, who pushed the City Kickboxing staple the distance back in their 2019 interim title showdown, called for a title-eliminator against former KSW titleholder, du Plessis this summer.

“Title eliminator vs @dricusduplessis on July 8.” Kelvin Gastelum tweeted. “What do you say Dricus? @OneAmission4Gold.” 

Reportedly eying a return to the Octagon before the close of this summer, Nigerian-Kiwi striker, Adesanya entertained the possibility of fighting the above-mentioned, du Plessis, after he reclaimed the middleweight crown with a thunderous second round KO win over Alex Pereira at UFC 287 two weeks ago. 

Furthermore, Adesanya’s head coach, Eugene Bareman suggested his student compete for light heavyweight gold against Jamahal Hill in his next Octagon affair, however, the potential matchup has been scoffed at and branded “stupid” and a “waste of time” by former UFC title challenger, Chael Sonnen.

Dricus du Plessis issues warning to Israel Adesanya: ‘Show me how you’ll drag my carcass around’

Dricus du Plessis warning Israel Adesanya show me how you'll drag my carcass around UFCSurging middleweight contender, Dricus du Plessis has taken issue with what he perceives as “threats” from newly minted undisputed champion, Israel Adesanya – calling for the kingpin to show how he plans to drag his carcass across the country of South Africa. du Plessis, the current #6 ranked middleweight contender, has embarked on a run […]

Dricus du Plessis warning Israel Adesanya show me how you'll drag my carcass around UFC

Surging middleweight contender, Dricus du Plessis has taken issue with what he perceives as “threats” from newly minted undisputed champion, Israel Adesanya – calling for the kingpin to show how he plans to drag his carcass across the country of South Africa.

du Plessis, the current #6 ranked middleweight contender, has embarked on a run of five consecutive victories since is move to the UFC back in 2020, with the former KSW and EFC champion most recently competing last month.

Featuring at UFC 285 at the T-Mobile Arena, the South African turned in a corner’s stoppage TKO victory over common-opponent, Derek Brunson.

Taking issue with claims from Adesanya that he would drag his carcass across his native South Africa if they shared the Octagon, Dricus du Plessis urged the City Kickboxing staple to celebrate his title win at “home” in New Zealand.

Dricus du Plessis issues warning to Israel Adesanya

And furthermore, the 29-year-old finisher has questioned if comments from newly-minted undisputed titleholder, Adesanya, were made in a bid to attempt to strike fear into him.

“For him (Israel Adesanya) saying that, does he think I’m scared of him?” Dricus du Plessis said to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. “I am not scared of that man. The fact that he put some threats out there, obviously, he’s forgotten, because I don’t take kindly to threats. Over here, it doesn’t work like that. If you want to make threats, come and show me. Come and show me how you’ll drag my carcass around. I would love to see you try.” 

“And like I said in that message [tweet], UFC Africa is far away from being done. It’s probably going to happen next year,” Dricus du Plessis explained. “I don’t want to wait that long. I will beat him this year, and after that fight, if he still feels like he has all this power over me and he’s trying to intimidate me, that’s good. Then come to Africa next year, and we’ll fight for the belt in a rematch, where I’m the champion. Because that fight’s not happening this year, and he does not scare me. Not one little bit.” 

In the midst of a seven-fight winning run, du Plessis, who also holds a knockout win over former two-weight KSW champion and recent ONE Championship debutante, Roberto Soldic, has landed notable Octagon victories over the likes of Brad Tavares, and one-time welterweight title challenger, Darren Till to boot. 

Dricus du Plessis touts African support, responds to Israel Adesanya: ‘Enjoy your win at home in New Zealand’

Dricus du Plessis Israel AdesanyaAfter Israel Adesanya’s impressive victory at UFC 287, Dricus du Plessis had some choice words for the man. It seems the two have a fair amount of beef between them, and du Plessis wanted to ensure he let Adesanya know that he has an entire continent behind him and is not afraid. Israel Adesanya had […]

Dricus du Plessis Israel Adesanya

After Israel Adesanya’s impressive victory at UFC 287, Dricus du Plessis had some choice words for the man. It seems the two have a fair amount of beef between them, and du Plessis wanted to ensure he let Adesanya know that he has an entire continent behind him and is not afraid.

Israel Adesanya had one of the greatest performances in his entire career at UFC 287. Not only did he finally defeat the biggest rival of his life, but he also did so in perhaps the most exciting and shocking way humanly possible. Alex Pereira had defeated Adesanya twice in kickboxing and once in MMA. Many counted ‘The Last Stylebender’ out when it came to the MMA rematch with ‘Poatan’, and Adesanya was even ridiculed for attempting to face the man again so soon.

However, Adesanya believed in himself, and that faith paid off. He literally had his back to the wall, as the saying goes, and when it mattered most: he performed. Lashing out with a series of right hands that would eventually separate Pereira from consciousness, ‘The Last Stylebender’ succeeded in his hellacious efforts and reclaimed his lost title.

Dricus du Plessis lets Israel Adesanya know he’s not afraid and has an entire continent at his back

Dricus du Plessis firmly believes he is next in line for a title shot, and as things continue to heat up between the pair, du Plessis is issuing firmer and more serious challenges to the throne.

“So you won’t say my name, that’s smart you better not,” Dricus du Plessis began on Twitter. “I don’t need your airtime at all, I have my whole continent of AFRICA behind me. Go enjoy your very spectacular victory at home in New Zealand . We are Africa we fear nothing.”

Would you like to see a fight between Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya?