Dricus Du Plessis has denied that Israel Adesanya got the better of him during sparring sessions. During an appearance on the IMPAULSIVE podcast, Adesanya claimed that he “messed up” the South African in the striking department.
Du Plessis has said that the middleweight champion is mistaken.
‘Stillknocks’ Responds
Du Plessis responded to the claim in an interview with The Schmo by saying the pair never shared standup rounds when training in Thailand together. “He said I beat him in the grappling exchanges. He is one hundred percent correct in that,” he said.
“I did manhandle him in the grappling and wrestling exchanges, but we did not do a single round of striking together. Not one,” he continued. “When we sparred, we grappled and we wrestled. We never did one single round of striking together, not as far as I know and that’s something you would remember.”
Du Plessis vs Adesanya For The Title?
Du Plessis takes on Robert Whittaker at UFC 290 in July in what will surely be a title eliminator. Adesanya has already expressed his desire for Du Plessis to get the victory so he can face fresh blood. The champion has already fought and defeated Whittaker twice.
The Pretoria native insists he isn’t concerned with ‘The Last Stylebender’s’ callouts though as he is fully focused on the task at hand. Whittaker will be Du Plessis’ toughest test to date but is confident he’ll “shock the world” at UFC 290 and secure a title shot against Adesanya.
“I’m going out there to finish. If you look at my record, I’m not going out there to chase decisions. I’m going out there to finish Robert Whittaker,” said Du Plessis.
‘Stillknocks’ is on a five fight winning streak in the UFC. Four of these victories have come by way of stoppage, including a TKO against Derek Brunson in his last fight. After an entertaining back-and-forth between the two, Brunson fell back to the mat and Du Plessis unleashed brutal ground and pound. Brunson’s corner were forced to throw in the towel and protect their fighter from further damage.
Dricus Du Plessis can not be underestimated.
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