Dricus Du Plessis emerged victorious in a stunning upset against Robert Whittaker at UFC 290, securing a TKO win and earning himself a shot at Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. The event took place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
A Dominant Performance:
Du Plessis defied expectations by not only defeating Whittaker but also making it appear effortless. Whittaker had been known as the dominant force in the Middleweight division, consistently turning away potential title contenders. However, Du Plessis managed to overcome the challenge and knocked out Whittaker in the second round of their fight.
At the beginning of the bout, Whittaker seemed to have the upper hand, displaying sharpness and speed. His jabs had Du Plessis on the defensive, and he followed up with powerful hooks. Despite this, Du Plessis demonstrated resilience and aggression, relentlessly pressing forward and delivering impactful strikes. He managed to knock Whittaker down and cause him to bleed, clearly winning the first round.
In the second round, Du Plessis maintained his aggressive approach, catching Whittaker off guard and stunning him. After ensuring it wasn’t a trap, Du Plessis aggressively pursued his opponent, ultimately securing a technical knockout victory and earning himself a title shot against Israel Adesanya.
A Rising Star:
With this triumph, Du Plessis maintains an undefeated record of 6-0 in the UFC and an impressive overall record of 20-2 in mixed martial arts (MMA). On the other hand, Whittaker’s recent performance has been less favorable, with a record of 24-7 and 1-2 in his last three bouts.
Dricus Du Plessis, nicknamed “Stillknocks,” was heavily underestimated by bookmakers before the fight. However, his outstanding win further solidified his reputation, propelling him to an undefeated streak in his UFC career.
Countdown to Adesanya vs. Du Plessis:
The 29-year-old Du Plessis will now prepare to face Israel Adesanya, the middleweight champion of Nigerian and New Zealand descent, at UFC 293 in Sydney, Australia on September 10, 2023. Adesanya, who will celebrate his 34th birthday on July 22, awaits this upcoming challenge.
