Dricus du Plessis News

Robert Whittaker
Robert Whittaker

Robert Whittaker issues statement following TKO loss to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 290

Chris Taylor - July 10, 2023

Robert Whittaker has issued a statement following his TKO loss to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 290. Whittaker (24-7 MMA), the promotion’s former middleweight title holder, collided with surging 185lbs contender Du Plessis (20-2 MMA) on the main card of Saturday’s pay-per-view event in Las Vegas. It was a high stakes matchup as the winner would be awarded the next title shot against reigning middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.

Israel Adesanya and Dricus du Plessis
Israel Adesanya

Israel Adesanya opens as a sizeable betting favorite ahead of potential title defense against Dricus Du Plessis

Cole Shelton - July 10, 2023

Israel Adesanya has opened as the betting favorite to beat Dricus Du Plessis. At UFC 290, Du Plessis was fighting Robert Whittaker in a title-eliminator bout as the winner would go on to face Adesanya, likely in September in Australia. Whittaker entered the fight as the betting favorite and many expected him to win, but it was Du Plessis who won by second-round TKO to secure a title shot.

Israel Adesanya and Dricus du Plessis
Israel Adesanya

Israel Adesanya responds to backlash over Dricus Du Plessis confrontation at UFC 290: “If you ain’t my brother, you ain’t African”

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 9, 2023

UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya has some choice words for Dricus du Plessis following UFC 290. On the main card of UFC 290, Dricus du Plessis scored a massive second-round TKO finish over Robert Whittaker. The win now sets the stage for a middleweight title showdown between Adesanya and du Plessis. Israel Adesanya takes this bout personally, as he and du Plessis have been feuding with racial undertones. It didn’t take long for Israel Adesanya to enter the Octagon and have a heated confrontation with Dricus du Plessis.

Israel Adesanya and Dricus du Plessis
Israel Adesanya

Dricus Du Plessis vows to KO “clown” Israel Adesanya in upcoming title fight: “I’ll manhandle him”

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 9, 2023

Dricus du Plessis believes he will decimate UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya. On the UFC 290 card this past Saturday (July 8), Dricus du Plessis took on former UFC 185-pound titleholder Robert Whittaker. While du Plessis was an underdog going into this pivotal middleweight bout, he shined bright with a second-round TKO victory. du Plessis has now punched his ticket for a shot at the UFC Middleweight Championship.

Dricus Du Plessis UFC 290
UFC

UFC 290 Bonus Report: Dricus Du Plessis one of four fighters to take home $50k

Chris Taylor - July 8, 2023

The Octagon remained in Nevada for tonight’s UFC 290 event, a fourteen-bout fight card headlined by Alex Volkanovski vs. Yair Rodriguez. The highly anticipated featherweight title unification bout proved to be another amazing performance from Alex Volkanovski. ‘The Great’ was able to utilize his wrestling in the early rounds to get off some heavy ground and pound. After blooding up ‘El Pantera’ on the canvas, the Aussie was able to drop Rodriguez with a right hand in round three. From there, he unleashed some nasty ground and pound which forced the referee to jump in and call the fight.

Dricus Du Plessis, UFC 290, UFC
Robert Whittaker

Pros react after Dricus Du Plessis TKO's Robert Whittaker at UFC 290

Chris Taylor - July 8, 2023

Tonight’s UFC 290 main card featured a middleweight number one contender match between Robert Whittaker and Dricus Du Plessis. Whittaker (24-7 MMA) was returning to the Octagon for the first time since September of 2022 in Paris, where he had earned a lopsided decision victory over Marvin Vettori. ‘The Reaper’ was looking to score a third fight with reigning UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya with a dominant win this evening.

Dricus Du Plessis and Robert Whittaker and UFC 290
Robert Whittaker

UFC 290 Results: Dricus Du Plessis TKO's Robert Whittaker (Video)

Chris Taylor - July 8, 2023

We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC 290 results, including the middleweight matchup between Robert Whittaker and Dricus Du Plessis. Whittaker (24-6 MMA) will be returning to the Octagon for the first time since September of 2022 in Paris, where he earned a lopsided decision victory over Marvin Vettori. ‘The Reaper’ will be looking to score a third fight with reigning UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya with a win this evening.

Robert Whittaker, Dricus Du Plessis and UFC 290
Exclusive MMA Interviews

UFC 290 | Pro fighters make their picks for Robert Whittaker vs. Dricus Du Plessis

Cole Shelton - July 6, 2023

In the featured fight of UFC 290, a middleweight title eliminator goes down as Robert Whittaker takes on Dricus Du Plessis. Heading into the fight, Whittaker is a sizeable -400 favorite while the South African is a +300 underdog. Ahead of the fight at UFC 290, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros are in favor of the odds as they are unanimous in thinking Whittaker gets the job done.

Robert Whittaker, UFC 290
Robert Whittaker

Robert Whittaker calls Dricus Du Plessis the “most dangerous fight” of his career

Cole Shelton - July 5, 2023

Robert Whittaker has nothing but praise for UFC 290 opponent Dricus Du Plessis. Whittaker is set to take on Du Plessis on Saturday in a scrap he is a sizeable betting favorite in as many expect him to cruise to a win. However, Du Plessis is oozing with confidence that he will pull off the upset and thinks he will finish Whittaker.

Dricus Du Plessis UFC 290
Exclusive MMA Interviews

Dricus Du Plessis plans to prove he's the "new star" by finishing "gatekeeper" Robert Whittaker at UFC 290

Cole Shelton - July 4, 2023

Dricus Du Plessis is ready to make a statement at UFC 290. Du Plessis is set to take on Robert Whittaker in a title eliminator fight on the main card in Las Vegas on Saturday. While the booking admittedly came as a bit of a surprise, the South African was fine taking the fight as he wants to earn his title shot by beating the best.

Alexander Volkanovski and Robert Whittaker
Dricus du Plessis

Alexander Volkanovski rips people that think Dricus Du Plessis will beat Robert Whittaker at UFC 290

Cole Shelton - July 4, 2023

Alexander Volkanovski doesn’t think Robert Whittaker vs. Dricus Du Plessis will be all that competitive. Whittaker is set to take on Du Plessis on the main card of UFC 290 as the fight serves as a title eliminator. It’s a crucial fight and one the Aussie is a sizeable betting favorite in. However, Dricus Du Plessis is confident he has all the tools to beat Robert Whittaker and finish him.

Israel Adesanya, Dricus Du Plessis
Israel Adesanya

Dricus du Plessis slams Israel Adesanya for bringing race into the conversation: “I don’t like that narrative at all”

Harry Kettle - July 4, 2023

Dricus du Plessis has hit out at rival Israel Adesanya for bringing race into their ongoing middleweight feud. This weekend, Dricus du Plessis faces the biggest fight of his career. He’ll go head to head with Robert Whittaker in an attempt to secure a shot at the UFC middleweight championship. If he wins, he’ll collide with Israel Adesanya later in the year. He is, however, seen by many as the underdog in this contest.

Israel Adesanya, Dricus Du Plessis
Israel Adesanya

Sean O’Malley casts doubt on Dricus du Plessis being able to “manhandle” Israel Adesanya: “I think he smokes DDP”

Harry Kettle - June 30, 2023

Sean O’Malley has given his thoughts on a possible UFC middleweight title showdown between Israel Adesanya and Dricus du Plessis. Next month, Dricus du Plessis will battle Robert Whittaker in the biggest fight of his career so far. Of course, the real aim of the game is to earn a shot against Israel Adesanya for the UFC middleweight championship. Adesanya is expected to return in September as he attempts to remain at the top of the mountain at 185 pounds.

Dricus Du Plessis
UFC

Cameron Saaiman defends Dricus du Plessis’ comments about becoming Africa’s first “true” UFC champion: “The controversy doesn't change facts”

Harry Kettle - June 29, 2023

Cameron Saaiman has defended Dricus du Plessis’ comments about him possibly becoming the UFC’s first “true” African champion. Next month, Dricus du Plessis faces the fight of his life. He’ll go head to head with Robert Whittaker, knowing that a win will earn him a shot at Israel Adesanya and the UFC middleweight championship. He’s unbeaten in the UFC up to this point but in the eyes of many, this is seen as a step too far. Of course, du Plessis doesn’t think so, and neither does Cameron Saaiman.

Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya
Israel Adesanya

Dricus Du Plessis praises "incredible champion" Israel Adesanya but doesn't think he's the middleweight GOAT

Cole Shelton - June 27, 2023

Dricus Du Plessis says Israel Adesanya is an incredible champion, but he doesn’t believe ‘Stylebender’ is the middleweight GOAT. Adesanya is the current UFC middleweight champion and has defended the title five times. He recently reclaimed the belt after losing it to Alex Pereira – which is a feat Silva never accomplished. However, ‘The Spider’ defended his belt 10 times, and with that Du Plessis believes Silva is still the middleweight GOAT.

Dricus Du Plessis, Israel Adesanya
Israel Adesanya

Dricus Du Plessis says he “manhandled” UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya in previous training sessions

Susan Cox - June 27, 2023

Dricus Du Plessis is saying he ‘manhandled’ UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya in previous training sessions. Adesanya was the one who originally revealed that he did train with Du Plessis during their time at Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket, Thailand almost 10 years ago.  ‘The Last Stylebender’ also shared that Du Plessis got the best of him in grappling, but he was the one who dominated in striking exchanges.

Robert Whittaker
Robert Whittaker

Robert Whittaker shares theory on Dricus du Plessis' UFC success: "I do believe that is one of the major reasons"

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 25, 2023

Robert Whittaker thinks he knows why Dricus du Plessis has been nabbing some key wins in the UFC. Dricus du Plessis is riding a seven-fight winning streak. He hasn’t been defeated since October 2017 when he was knocked out by Roberto Soldić. Du Plessis has beaten the likes of Derek Brunson and Darren Till. At UFC 290 on July 8, Dricus du Plessis will take on former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker. A win would almost guarantee du Plessis a shot at the current 185-pound titleholder Israel Adesanya.

Marvin Vettori, Israel Adesanya, and Dricus du Plessis
Israel Adesanya

Marvin Vettori discusses 'super weird' African rivalry between Israel Adesanya and Dricus du Plessis

Josh Evanoff - June 14, 2023

UFC middleweight Marvin Vettori has given his thoughts on the rivalry between Israel Adesanya and Dricus du Plessis. ‘The Italian Dream’ has been out of action since his unanimous decision win over Roman Dolidze in March. That was an important win for the middleweight contender, as it was his third victory in his last four octagon appearances. Just a few months later, he’s now set to return against Jared Cannonier.