It appears that the bout between SA’s Dricus du Plessis and Nigeria-born New Zealand Israel Adesanya will NOT take place at UFC 293. Photo by Sean M. Haffey/AFP

Dricus du Plessis’ key to victory: Make it an ugly fight

Dricus Du Plessis isn’t favoured for his UFC Middleweight eliminator bout against Robert Whittaker but this isn’t an unwinnable fight for Stillknocks.

by James Richardson

07-07-2023 17:34

in MMA

It appears that the bout between SA’s Dricus du Plessis and Nigeria-born New Zealand Israel Adesanya will NOT take place at UFC 293. Photo by Sean M. Haffey/AFP

South African MMA star Dricus Du Plessis isn’t favoured for his UFC 290 Middleweight title eliminator bout against Australian Robert Whittaker but this isn’t an unwinnable fight for Stillknocks.

Du Plessis’ banter has some knickers twisted but it has put him in position to force his way into the UFC Middleweight title scene slightly ahead of schedule.

Dricus du Plessis’ key to victory

ALSO READ: Israel Adesanya is ‘rooting for Dricus’ to win contender’s bout

What does Dricus Du Plessis need to do to overcome Robert Whittaker in Las Vegas on Sunday?

Whittaker’s recent losses won’t give Du Plessis a blueprint for victory given that his defeats came to fighters with radically different styles to the South African.

He will know what he needs to avoid doing against Whittaker and that will be giving The Reaper and easy target for his strikes or trying to spar with the Australian.

What time is Dricus Du Plessis vs Robert Whittaker at UFC 290

Du Plessis might find hesitance a greater foe than recklessness when he steps into the Octagon with Whittaker.

He will need to close on Whittaker quickly and recognise that he will benefit more from a sloppy brawl than his opponent and should be out to take his opponent off his feet where his striking game presents the greatest danger.

ALSO READ: How Cameron Saaiman fell in love with MMA

Du Plessis should also recognise that he likely won’t be winning the crowd over if he puts in a flashy display and he needs to be prepared to finish the contest if he can force such an opportunity.

The South African has shown that he can drag a fight to a place that suits him and his tenacity and resilience have already surprised UFC fighters.

UFC 290 FIGHT CARD

Details of fights subject to change.

MAIN EVENT: Alexander Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez – for UFC featherweight title
Brandon Moreno vs Alexandre Pantoja – for UFC flyweight title
Robert Whittaker vs Dricus du Plessis
Jalin Turner vs Dan Hooker
Bo Nickal vs Tresean Gore

Preliminary card