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Set for Strickland rematch
Du Plessis will defend his UFC Middleweight Championship against Sean Strickland (leg) in the main event of UFC 312 on Feb. 8, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
This is a rematch of a title fight that took place in January of 2024 in which Du Plessis became the champion via split decision despite being out-landed 173-to-137 in significant strikes. The judges ultimately decided that du Plessis landed the more damaging blows, and his six takedowns certainly didn't hurt his cause. Since then, Strickland picked up a split-decision victory over Paulo Costa in June but has been sidelined since due to a leg injury. Du Plessis also has a fight on the record since then, as he took out long-time champion Israel Adesanya via fourth-round submission back in August.
This is a rematch of a title fight that took place in January of 2024 in which Du Plessis became the champion via split decision despite being out-landed 173-to-137 in significant strikes. The judges ultimately decided that du Plessis landed the more damaging blows, and his six takedowns certainly didn't hurt his cause. Since then, Strickland picked up a split-decision victory over Paulo Costa in June but has been sidelined since due to a leg injury. Du Plessis also has a fight on the record since then, as he took out long-time champion Israel Adesanya via fourth-round submission back in August.
Remains king at 185 pounds
Du Plessis successfully defended the UFC Middleweight Championship on Saturday, defeating Israel Adesanya via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:38 of Round 4 at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia.
ANALYSIS
It's literally impossible to attempt to accurately break down a du Plessis fight. There's no one on the UFC roster, man or woman, that comes close to fighting a similar style. DDP was up 29-28 on two of the three scorecards, but it easily could have be reversed. Dricus was giving up plenty of volume to Izzy in exchange for landing the more powerful blows. That said, it was his grappling game that won him the fight. With du Plessis seemingly tiring late in Round 4 and in all sorts of trouble, he clocked Adesanya with a few blows along the fence which led to an easy takedown. He then quickly clamped on the rear-naked choke that ended the fight. Dricus has a unique ability to fight through even the most difficult situations. It cannot be taught. He always looks gassed, but he's never out of a fight. Undefeated for going on six years now, DDP is 8-0 in the UFC with six stoppage victories. His last three wins are over Adesanya, Sean Strickland and Robert Whittaker. The South African is off to one of the greatest runs to begin his UFC career in company history.
It's literally impossible to attempt to accurately break down a du Plessis fight. There's no one on the UFC roster, man or woman, that comes close to fighting a similar style. DDP was up 29-28 on two of the three scorecards, but it easily could have be reversed. Dricus was giving up plenty of volume to Izzy in exchange for landing the more powerful blows. That said, it was his grappling game that won him the fight. With du Plessis seemingly tiring late in Round 4 and in all sorts of trouble, he clocked Adesanya with a few blows along the fence which led to an easy takedown. He then quickly clamped on the rear-naked choke that ended the fight. Dricus has a unique ability to fight through even the most difficult situations. It cannot be taught. He always looks gassed, but he's never out of a fight. Undefeated for going on six years now, DDP is 8-0 in the UFC with six stoppage victories. His last three wins are over Adesanya, Sean Strickland and Robert Whittaker. The South African is off to one of the greatest runs to begin his UFC career in company history.
Scheduled against Stylebender
Du Plessis is scheduled to defend the UFC Middleweight Championship against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in Perth on Aug. 18, per Adesanya's announcement Monday.
ANALYSIS
This will be du Plessis' first defense of the UFC Middleweight Championship. Before defeating Sean Strickland in Toronto, DDP was given a chance to compete against then-champion Adesanya at UFC 293. Dealing with an injury, du Plessis declined the opportunity, allowing Strickland to fight and defeat Stylebender. Even though DDP-Adesanya never materialized during 2023, they will get a chance to settle the score in 2024. Except for Strickland, Adesanya has both defeated each of du Plessis' opponents the latter fought en route to winning UFC gold and five defenses in his name.
This will be du Plessis' first defense of the UFC Middleweight Championship. Before defeating Sean Strickland in Toronto, DDP was given a chance to compete against then-champion Adesanya at UFC 293. Dealing with an injury, du Plessis declined the opportunity, allowing Strickland to fight and defeat Stylebender. Even though DDP-Adesanya never materialized during 2023, they will get a chance to settle the score in 2024. Except for Strickland, Adesanya has both defeated each of du Plessis' opponents the latter fought en route to winning UFC gold and five defenses in his name.
Digs deep to win UFC gold
Du Plessis won the UFC Middleweight Championship on Saturday, defeating Sean Strickland via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47) at UFC 297 in Toronto.
ANALYSIS
Du Plessis deserves a ton of credit for making adjustments after a rough start in this fight. He clearly lost Round 1 after eating way too many Strickland jabs. Yet, he continued to pressure the rest of the way, firing off some leg kicks and landing some takedowns. None of the takedowns led to significant ground control, but they were money in the bank for Dricus in an exceedingly close fight. Du Plessis' cardio has been a question mark, and while he faded some in Round 5, he put forth a strong showing for the vast majority of the 25 minutes and did well enough in the middle of the fight to earn the middle three rounds from two of the judges. Ultimately, the coin flip went the way of the South African, and the competitive showing earned both men a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus. Du Plessis' first title defense will almost come against former middleweight king Israel Adesanya. Buckle up.
Du Plessis deserves a ton of credit for making adjustments after a rough start in this fight. He clearly lost Round 1 after eating way too many Strickland jabs. Yet, he continued to pressure the rest of the way, firing off some leg kicks and landing some takedowns. None of the takedowns led to significant ground control, but they were money in the bank for Dricus in an exceedingly close fight. Du Plessis' cardio has been a question mark, and while he faded some in Round 5, he put forth a strong showing for the vast majority of the 25 minutes and did well enough in the middle of the fight to earn the middle three rounds from two of the judges. Ultimately, the coin flip went the way of the South African, and the competitive showing earned both men a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus. Du Plessis' first title defense will almost come against former middleweight king Israel Adesanya. Buckle up.
On to championship fight
Du Plessis will fight Sean Strickland for the UFC Middleweight Championship in Toronto at UFC 297 on Jan. 20, according to Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Coming off an upset win over former champion Robert Whittaker, Du Plessis could have fought Israel Adesanya for middleweight gold at UFC 293 had the former not been unavailable due to a lingering injury. Adesanya fought Strickland instead, and the latter seized his opportunity to win gold. Du Plessis will fight Strickland now, with the winner expected to fight Khamzat Chimaev, who earned the right by defeating Kamaru Usman in a title eliminator.
Coming off an upset win over former champion Robert Whittaker, Du Plessis could have fought Israel Adesanya for middleweight gold at UFC 293 had the former not been unavailable due to a lingering injury. Adesanya fought Strickland instead, and the latter seized his opportunity to win gold. Du Plessis will fight Strickland now, with the winner expected to fight Khamzat Chimaev, who earned the right by defeating Kamaru Usman in a title eliminator.