Dricus du Plessis News
Dricus Du Plessis vows to KO “clown” Israel Adesanya in upcoming title fight: “I’ll manhandle him”
Fernando Quiles - 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.
Dana White reacts to the "racial undertones" during the Israel Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis confrontation at UFC 290: "I could care less"
Chris Taylor - July 8, 2023
Dana White has shared his thoughts on the “racial undertones” that occurred during the Israel Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis confrontation at UFC 290. Du Plessis (20-2 MMA) squared off with former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker (24-7 MMA) on the main card of tonight’s event in Las Vegas. The bout was deemed a number one contenders match with the winner getting a shot at reigning 185lbs kingpin Israel Adesanya.
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.
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.
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.
Dricus Du Plessis claims Israel Adesanya is already viewing him as "the champion" ahead of potential title fight
Cole Shelton - July 6, 2023
Dricus Du Plessis is fully focused on Robert Whittaker at UFC 290 but knows a matchup against Israel Adesanya would be massive. Du Plessis is set to take on Whittaker in a title eliminator bout with the winner expected to face Adesanya in September. Although it is a quick turnaround, Dricus Du Plessis says if the fight plays out as he expects he will be ready to fight Israel Adesanya for the belt in Australia. He also knows if that is the matchup, it will be a massive fight for the UFC.
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 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.
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.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 129 with Dricus Du Plessis, Brandon Royval, Kamuela Kirk, and Shannon Ross
Cole Shelton - July 4, 2023
The 129th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC 290 this Saturday. We’re first joined by fifth-ranked UFC middleweight Dricus Du Plessis (2:00). Next, fourth-ranked UFC flyweight Brandon Royval (16:33) comes on. UFC lightweight Kamuela Kirk (32:32) then joins the show. Closing out the program is UFC flyweight, Shannon Ross (46:01).
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.
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 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.
Dricus Du Plessis plans to finish Robert Whittaker at UFC 290: “We’ll see who’s the biggest dog”
Cole Shelton - June 26, 2023
Dricus Du Plessis is confident he will finish Robert Whittaker at UFC 290. Du Plessis is set for the toughest test of his career as he will take on Whittaker in a title eliminator bout with the winner set to take on Israel Adesanya in September. It’s an intriguing matchup but the oddsmakers have Whittaker as a sizeable betting favorite to get the job done.
Robert Whittaker shares theory on Dricus du Plessis' UFC success: "I do believe that is one of the major reasons"
Fernando Quiles - 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 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.
Robert Whittaker explains why he's "so happy" he's fighting Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 290
Cole Shelton - May 25, 2023
Robert Whittaker is pleased he got matched up with Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 290. Whittaker is set for a title-eliminator fight against Du Plessis in a very intriguing middleweight scrap. Although Israel Adesanya called out Du Plessis, Whittaker says he likes the way the South African is handling his career by taking the toughest fights possible.
Dricus Du Plessis explains why he thinks Robert Whittaker is a "harder fight" than Israel Adesanya
Cole Shelton - May 24, 2023
Dricus Du Plessis believes Robert Whittaker is a harder fight than Israel Adesanya. Du Plessis is set to face Whittaker at UFC 290 in a middleweight title eliminator bout with the winner going on to face ‘Stylebender’ later this year. Although Adesaya wanted to face Du Plessis his next time out, the UFC booked the South African to face Whittaker first which he knows is a tough task.