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Dricus Du Plessis recently said that he sensed Israel Adesanya was ready to hang up his gloves after avenging his loss to Alex Pereira, feeling as though he had accomplished everything he set out to achieve in the sport.

“Stillknocks” is set to defend his middleweight title for the first time against the former longtime champion, Adesanya, in the main event of UFC 305. The eagerly awaited clash is scheduled for August 17 at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.

“The Last Stylebender” is set to make his return to the Octagon after an 11-month hiatus, the longest of his UFC career. Following his title loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 last September, Adesanya took a self-imposed break to focus on his mental health.

The Nigerian-born Kiwi is currently enduring the toughest period of his career since his failed bid for the light heavyweight title against then-champion Jan Blachowicz at UFC 259. Three fights later, Adesanya suffered his first middleweight loss, a fifth-round TKO at the hands of longtime rival Alex Pereira at UFC 281.

However, he made a triumphant comeback by reclaiming the middleweight title from “Poatan” in a rematch at UFC 287, and Du Plessis believes this victory marks the peak of Adesanya’s career.

In a recent interview with Hello Sport, the reigning UFC middleweight champion reflected on his faceoff with Adesanya at the UFC 305 on-sale press conference. The South African expressed respect for “The Last Stylebender’s” achievements but sensed that Adesanya is pushing himself too hard for the upcoming fight.

“When it comes to the title defenses, the winning streaks will never come because he doesn’t have the time, Du Plessis said. “I think his biggest achievement for him personally was beating Alex Pereira. He had this nemesis who had beaten him multiple times, and after that fight, he [Adesanya] was ready to call it quits.

“That’s what I saw in his eyes as well. [He was] trying to convince me but more so trying to convince himself that he still wants to do this and that he still has what it takes to be the best fighter in the world and as soon as you ask yourself that question – you’re in a dark place.”

Adesanya and Pereira’s rivalry stands as one of the most intense and storied in combat sports history, with “Poatan” seemingly having shattered his opponent both physically and mentally – only to suffer a brutal knockout in their latest scrap.

The Brazilian defeated Adesanya twice in kickboxing, and the two have each claimed a victory each in their UFC showdowns.

Dricus Du Plessis Says Being At Peace Heading Into UFC 305 ‘Dangerous’ For Israel Adesanya

Adesanya previously stated that the layoff allowed him to regroup and alleviate the pressure of constantly fighting and enduring the demands of fight camps.

However, “Stillknocks” cautioned that a layoff isn’t always beneficial for a fighter. During the interview, Du Plessis suggested that an extended break could foster self-doubt and asserted that when he faces Adesanya in the Octagon, he will ensure his opponent never finds his momentum.

“The time off is not necessarily the problem; it can be good, but it can be bad… When you get to the position where you are so comfortable, where he said he’s at peace, he’s happy with what he has, and it’s a dangerous place to be at because this sport is chaos and chaos is the exact opposite of peace.

“If you’re at peace and you’re getting in the Octagon with me, it’s going to be a problem because I bring chaos.”

Du Plessis and Adesanya have a tumultuous history, with their fates intertwined long before their dramatic altercation at UFC 290 last July. Their rivalry dates back to when “The Last Stylebender” reigned as middleweight champion, and Du Plessis called him out, vowing to become a true African champion and bring the belt back to the continent.

Read More: Former UFC Champion On Why We May See ‘One Of The Most Dangerous, Nasty Versions Of Israel Adesanya’ Against Dricus Du Plessis

Continue Reading Dricus Du Plessis Warns Israel Adesanya Being At Peace Will Cost Him At UFC 305: ‘It’s A Dangerous Place To Be At…’ at MMA News.

UFC middleweight Jared Cannonier believes Israel Adesanya will have to adapt his game plan against him if he’s to defend his title once more.

The UFC middleweight champion is expected to put his title on the line against ‘The Killa Gorilla’ sometime later this year. Adesanya has previously stated his intentions to face Cannonier sometime this summer.

Cannonier looks to have earned himself a title shot having beaten fellow top-ranked contender Derek Brunson at UFC 271 via 2nd round knockout. Adesanya defended his title that night and liked what he saw from the #2 ranked middleweight.

Having now won five out of his last six, with four of those wings being knockouts, Cannonier looks certain for a shot at the title. Adesanya has even labeled the UFC middleweight as the ‘darkhorse’ of the 185lbs division.

In an interview with Helen Yee Sports, Cannonier spoke of what he is expecting when is set to take on the champion later this year.

“All I know, without giving up too much of my gameplan, all I know is that it’s gonna be very competitive, more competitive than any other fights that he’s had in the Octagon. I’m sure it’s gonna be the same for me, but I’m gonna anticipate less. (It’s just about) answering any other questions that he’s gonna present to me, answering them with ferocity… I feel like he’s gonna have to change his approach, that’s for sure. He’s not gonna be stylebending in there. I plan on neutralizing his game and opposing mine, like I do with any and everybody.”

Adesanya has been eager to face Cannonier for some time with a fresh challenge on the mind of the champion. ‘The Last Stylebender’ has had to endure two rematches that have failed to excite him as much as the opportunity to face a new challenger.

Cannonier now brings the threat Adesanya wanted, with the UFC middleweight champion facing a former light heavyweight fighter that will bring destructive knockout power.

Do you see Cannonier causing an upset against Adesanya?

Continue Reading Cannonier: Adesanya Will Have To Change His Approach To Beat Me at MMA News.