The UFC’s middleweight champion has been involved in some backwards and forwards bouts during his incredible rise.
While Dricus du Plessis stays undefeated contained in the Octagon with nine consecutive wins, he’s definitely been tested along the best way.
Du Plessis is deep into his preparations for UFC 319, where many consider that he’ll face his most difficult challenge since winning the 185-pound title.
Khamzat Chimaev’s team consider that he has made some crucial adjustments that may allow him to depart Chicago with the middleweight gold on August 16.
Ahead of considered one of the yr’s biggest title fights, the defending champion shared his thoughts on who his best and hardest opponents have been up to now.
Dricus du Plessis names Israel Adesanya as one of the best opponent he’s fought
Dricus du Plessis recently shared his thoughts on who his best opponent has been when previewing his return at UFC 319 in social media clips posted by Betway.
Lots of his best wins weren’t one-sided results, but as he has at all times done contained in the Octagon, the South African found a option to get across the road.
At UFC 305, many felt like Israel Adesanya was within the ascendancy and on his option to reclaiming the middleweight title in a spectacular return.
Unfortunately for ‘The Last Stylebender’, his opponent capitalized on a mistake and produced a submission finish within the fourth round, with du Plessis crediting Adesanya as his best opponent.
“My hardest opponent thus far, well that’s a really open-ended query because there have been fights that were the toughest for me,” Du Plessis said. “I even have to say probably Adesanya was one of the best guy I faced in his specific area. [It was] probably the fight I used to be most nervous for, just by way of how good he’s.
“He can catch you with anything, anytime. On a regular basis I spent looking as much as him and studying him, because he was the benchmark. Knowing what he’s able to, I believe he’s one of the best guy I’ve faced and clearly if you happen to watch that fight, it was one hell of a fight. It was a tricky night on the office for each of us.”
Fans reacted to du Plessis’ comments via the clip being posted on social media, weighing in with their thoughts on his pick.
‘Hey Dricus, brother you might be great but at the very least don’t lie. Adesanya? Really? That’s the least dangerous middleweight on the roster straight away.’
‘Lost first fight to Sean [Strickland] and couldn’t finish him while he was weak with staph throughout the second fight, also broke his leg on Sean… but okay.’
‘Wait until he faces the hurricane from Khamzat [Chimaev]. Dude won’t know what hit him.’
‘So it means Sean Strickland may be very easy for him?’
‘That’s the mark of a real champion – acknowledging your hardest opponent’s skills while still finding a option to beat them.’
‘And Adesanya said Khamzat was his easiest fight, Khamzat can be tapping in the primary round.’
Dricus du Plessis did address Sean Strickland in the identical video clip
While most of the reactions to this post named Sean Strickland as a counterpoint to Dricus du Plessis’ comments following their close first encounter at UFC 297, he did address this.
Having already stated that it was an open-ended query, the champion explained at the tip of the video that while Israel Adesanya was one of the best opponent he has faced, he has also come up against tougher opposition.
“But then, whenever you just go on pure toughness, you have got to go together with either Brad Tavares or Sean Strickland. Just the quantity of harm they were in a position to take and just keep going.”
One fan pointed this out within the reactions, attempting to clarify that du Plessis covered each bases.
‘English is difficult for some folks. Dricus said Adesanya was his best opponent due to tools Izzy presents and the caliber of opponent he’s, while Strickland was his hardest because he wasn’t easy to take out. Strickland and Tavares were Dricus’ hardest challenges.