Dricus du Plessis is prepared to defend his middleweight title in opposition to Sean Strickland in a rematch of their January title combat, however believes one other former foe is extra deserving.
Du Plessis stopped Israel Adesanya within the fourth spherical of Saturday’s UFC 305 essential occasion in Perth. UFC CEO Dana White stated previous to the bout that Strickland can be subsequent for the winner. On the post-fight press convention, du Plessis was requested in regards to the man he already defeated for the title and if he thinks trash speak with Strickland will get private as soon as once more.
“I don’t know,” du Plessis stated. “Does he wish to cry once more?”
Fortuitously for du Plessis, middleweight is loaded with stars and expertise at present. In an upcoming large combat at UFC 308 in October, Robert Whittaker faces Khamzat Chimaev in a five-round rebooked co-main occasion. It is going to be Whittaker’s third combat of 2024 after beating Paulo Costa at UFC 298 through unanimous determination in February, after which stopping Ikram Aliskerov within the first spherical at UFC Saudi Arabia in June.
Du Plessis gave his ideas on which fighter within the 185-pound division deserves the following crack at his 185-pound title probably the most, and he sided with the person he stopped at UFC 290 in July 2023 to earn his championship alternative.
“Robert Whittaker,” du Plessis stated. “Robert Whittaker deserves the shot. I feel he’s being achieved over. Whittaker beat Costa.
“Sean Strickland’s solely saving grace is the very fact he went to determination with me. That’s it. Robert Whittaker beat Costa in a extra spectacular trend, I imagine, than Strickland did. Then Whittaker steps as much as combat Khamzat, [Chimaev] pulls out, Whittaker fights a no person within the sense of [Aliskerov] just isn’t within the rankings, he can solely lose, and it’s an incredible fighter. Ikram is a tremendous fighter, he’s actually good. Whittaker makes it appear to be he’s preventing an novice.
“And what does he get for it? Nothing. Then says, ‘OK, I’ll combat Khamzat once more.’ So if he beats Khamzat, do you not give him the title shot? He’s getting the brief finish of the stick, sadly. That’s not on me. I’ll combat whoever. Strickland’s the combat everybody desires to see, however Whittaker is the one being achieved over, for my part. He’s extra deserving, however life’s not honest.”
