Dricus du Plessis isn’t short on confidence going into UFC 290.
On July 8, du Plessis will go one-on-one with former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker. The winner of the bout will likely be in prime position to challenge current 185-pound titleholder Israel Adesanya. “The Last Stylebender” has said that he’d like du Plessis to emerge victorious since it would be a fresh matchup and the two have bad blood. Adesanya already has two victories against Whittaker.
So you say I haven’t earned my title shot yet?
Hold my beer watch this..#preparetobeamazed🇿🇦#ufc290 pic.twitter.com/CKIzgoEoEv— Dricus Du Plessis (@dricusduplessis) April 22, 2023
Du Plessis On Adesanya Rooting For Him
During an interview with “The Schmo,” du Plessis warned Adesanya about wanting to fight him.
“Be careful what you wish for,” du Plessis said. “At the end of the day, I don’t care if he hopes, if he wants it. I’ll win on my terms and it’s imminent when I fight for the belt, and I’m gonna fight Adesanya. He says he’s hoping that I win. That’s good, I don’t need hope. I think the hope is for those that believe that winning can happen by accident. I’m not winning by accident or by him hoping I’m winning.”
Quick Turnaround
A report from FOX Sports Australia claimed that the winner of du Plessis vs. Whittaker could be in for a quick turnaround. That’s because the winner of the fight may meet Adesanya as soon as UFC 293 in Sydney on September 9. When asked if he’d be fine with such a turnaround, du Plessis made his answer clear.
“Let’s see if he’s game,” du Plessis said. “Let’s see if Adesanya is really there when the time comes. The way I see it after Whittaker, just give me about five minutes. With the way I’m feeling right now, just give me about five minutes on water and then I’ll fight him on the same night. Let’s do it next week, Saturday.”
Dricus Du Plessis also touched on whether or not Adesanya can call himself the middleweight GOAT. While du Plessis admitted that “The Last Stylebender” is close to reaching that status, he feels it’s hard to say he has surpassed Anderson Silva’s legacy.
In terms of how he envisions the fight with Whittaker playing out, du Plessis said he’s going for a finish. He showed respect for Whittaker, but he thinks, in the end, he will prove it’s his time now.
