UFC President Dana White declared a huge fight this week: Robert Whittaker will be taking on Dricus Du Plessis in a middleweight bout at UFC 290 in July. Whittaker is now the #2-ranked fighter in the division, with Du Plessis ranked at #6.
Difficult the Champ
White did much more than just verify this fight, though– he also alluded to middleweight winner Israel Adesanya’s future combat.
“The former champion Robert Whittaker– whose only losses in the last nine several years are to the champ Israel Adesanya– he will be taking on Dricus Du Plessis. Du Plessis has received seven straight fights and completed six of them. The winner of that fight will battle Adesanya afterwards this 12 months. And that combat is targeted for Sydney, Australia.”
This is massive news for the long term of the middleweight division. Right before this announcement, it was unclear who would following problem Adesanya for the belt, specifically with previous champ Alex Pereira relocating up to light heavyweight.
Although it’s early, Robert Whittaker has opened as the large preferred for this bout. He starts at -340, which is not shocking taking into consideration his status as a UFC vet and previous champ. Dricus Du Plessis is now a +250 underdog. It must be famous that these odds are subject matter to transform, which is most likely thinking of the combat is not right up until July. On the other hand, Whittaker will nevertheless be the favourite on fight working day in all chance.
Must Whittaker defeat Du Plessis, his battle versus Adesanya will be the third in a storied rivalry. As White described, Adesanya has demonstrated to be a formidable opponent to Whittaker, having crushed him 2 times in two separate title fights. Whittaker is no slouch, while, getting one particular the most nicely-rounded fighters in the division. He is often a menace to unseat the king.
The place Whittaker is a seasoned veteran, Du Plessis is a increasing star. The South African is a phenomenal striker and has swiftly risen to reputable competition in the middleweight division. A victory towards Whittaker would go down as the most extraordinary win on his resume and solidify him as a championship contender.
Stylebender’s Return
Precisely when Adesanya will return to the octagon to choose on the winner of Whittaker-Du Plessis is unknown as of now and almost certainly won’t be disclosed until finally following this fight requires area. Regardless, it will be 1 of the most anticipated fights of the yr, with Adesanya looking to make the initially protection of his new middleweight belt he took from Pereira in early April.
Speaking of that battle, Adesanya built headlines this week just after asserting he tore his MCL fewer than two months ahead of his rematch with Pereira. It obviously didn’t influence him much, as “The Very last Stylebender” knocked out Pereira to retake the belt in the 2nd round.
There’s no question UFC lovers are pumped to see Adesanya get on the winner of Whittaker-Du Plessis. It will both be the 3rd installment in a storied rivalry or the start of a manufacturer new opposition for the king of the middleweights.