Dricus du Plessis is keen 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 most important occasion in Perth. UFC CEO Dana White stated previous to the bout that Strickland could 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 discuss with Strickland will get private as soon as once more.
“I don’t know,” du Plessis stated. “Does he wish to cry once more?”
Luckily for du Plessis, middleweight is loaded with stars and expertise at the moment. In an upcoming huge combat at UFC 308 in October, Robert Whittaker faces Khamzat Chimaev in a five-round rebooked co-main occasion. Will probably be Whittaker’s third combat of 2024 after beating Paulo Costa at UFC 298 by way of unanimous choice 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 subsequent 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 executed over. Whittaker beat Costa.
“Sean Strickland’s solely saving grace is the actual fact he went to choice 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] is just not within the rankings, he can solely lose, and it’s an important fighter. Ikram is an incredible fighter, he’s actually good. Whittaker makes it appear to be he’s combating an newbie.
“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 quick 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 executed over, for my part. He’s extra deserving, however life’s not truthful.”
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