UFC 290: Du Plessis vs. Whittaker set to ignite the Octagon, title fights take center stage
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Dricus Du Plessis, the rising middleweight sensation, believes that the UFC would have eagerly arranged a title fight between himself and Israel Adesanya. However, the South African fighter is determined to prove himself by first defeating a former champion.
In the main card of UFC 290 this weekend, Du Plessis, also known as “Stillknocks,” is scheduled to have the biggest fight of his career against Robert Whittaker. The winner of this highly-anticipated matchup is likely to become the next challenger for Adesanya, who has engaged in heated verbal exchanges with Du Plessis in the past.
“This fight could have happened. We could have had that fight, I know that for a fact. He wanted this fight, I obviously wanted the fight,” Du Plessis explained, referring to a potential showdown with Adesanya. However, the allure of facing Whittaker, a former champion, was undeniable for the South African warrior.
Du Plessis has remained undefeated since joining the UFC in 2020, and he sees the matchup with Whittaker as another opportunity to test his skills before proving himself as the best middleweight in the sport by taking on Adesanya.
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“To me, it’s all the same. I wanna be the best in the world. Not by taking this fight or ducking this fight, or maybe saying ‘Eh, that’s a harder route.’ That’s not how legends or champions are made. They’re made by taking whatever comes and fighting. And that’s what this fight is,” Du Plessis passionately expressed, highlighting the importance of facing any challenge that comes his way.
Whittaker, known as “The Reaper,” poses a significant challenge, being a former middleweight champion who has emerged victorious against every other middleweight he has encountered in the UFC except Adesanya.
While the highly anticipated Du Plessis vs. Whittaker matchup generates much anticipation, the spotlight rightfully shines on the two title fights at the top of the UFC 290 card.. In the co-main event, Brandon Moreno will defend his flyweight title and seek to finally secure a victory over Alexandre Pantoja. The night’s headliner will feature Alexander Volkanovski and Yair Rodriguez in a unification clash for the featherweight titles.
As fight fans eagerly anticipate UFC 290, all eyes will be on Du Plessis as he steps into the Octagon to face Whittaker. The outcome of this thrilling encounter will undoubtedly shape the middleweight division and pave the way for a potential showdown with Adesanya—a battle that fans and pundits alike eagerly await.
For more UFC news and updates
Read: UFC 290 Yair Rodriguez vs Alexander Volkanovski
Read: UFC on ESPN 47 results: Sean Strickland TKO’s Abus Magomedov in an epic main event fight
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