Kelvin Gastelum will not fight at UFC 273 because of an undisclosed injury, leaving South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis without a fight. Photo: Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Dricus du Plessis’ UFC Fight Night 188 opponent confirmed
South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis is set to take on American Trevin Giles at UFC Fight Night 188 in a clash between two promising middleweights.
Kelvin Gastelum will not fight at UFC 273 because of an undisclosed injury, leaving South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis without a fight. Photo: Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Barring any late changes South African mixed martial arts star Dricus du Plessis will make his first appearance in the United States against American fighter Trevin Giles.
In a message on his social channels, Du Plessis shared the promotional image for the fight which has been added to the UFC Fight Night 188 card.
The event will take place on March 20, 2021 at the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States.
There is plenty of middleweight intrigue on the card with the clash between Derek Brunson and Kevin Holland expected to serve as the event headliner.
UFC 188 to feature Du Plessis vs Giles
After a strong UFC debut at light heavyweight in 2017, Giles was given a rude awakening by Dana White’s middleweights in 2019. Giles was submitted in the third round of successive fights (against Zak Cummings and Gerald Meerschaert) but he has since bounced back and is looking to extend his winning streak to three against Du Plessis.
The American will need to be wary of a dangerous opponent equally well-versed in striking and submissions.
Du Plessis made his UFC debut in Abu Dhabi in October 2020, knocking out Brazil’s Markus Perez in the first round.
While this will be his first fight in the United States, Du Plessis has competed on big stages before, having fought at Wembley during his spell with KSW.
Another former EFC talent is set to grace the card in the form of Cheyanne Buys, the American-born wife of JP Buys. The couple both earned spots on the UFC Roster is the last season of Dana White’s Contender series. She will face Kay Hansen in a strawweight bout in Las Vegas on 20 March.
Fight Night 188: Card to date
- Middleweight bout: Derek Brunson vs Kevin Holland
- Welterweight bout: Max Griffin vs Song Kenan
- Bantamweight bout: Adrian Yanez vs Gustavo Lopez
- Women’s Strawweight bout: Kay Hansen vs Cheyanne Buys
- Women’s Bantamweight bout: Julia Avila vs Julija Stoliarenko
- Middleweight bout: Trevin Giles vs Dricus du Plessis
- Light Heavyweight bout: Paul Craig vs Jamahal Hill
- Heavyweight bout: Tai Tuivasa vs Don’Tale Mayes
- Lightweight bout: Leonardo Santos vs Grant Dawson
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