UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis is trying to separate himself from the pack after UFC 305.
Du Plessis (21-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) makes his first title protection in opposition to Israel Adesanya (24-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) within the UFC 305 headliner Aug. 17 at RAC Enviornment in Perth (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+).
Du Plessis emerged as No. 1 contender after a TKO end of former champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 290. He then went on to outlast Sean Strickland to assert the 185-pound title at UFC 297.
If he can beat Adesanya, Du Plessis thinks that elevates his identify to one of many division’s finest ever.
“I’ve all the time checked out Israel Adesanya because the benchmark,” Du Plessis advised Fox West Texas. “Now Izzy grew to become a champion a very long time in the past, and I’ve checked out him and all the time knew that is the place I should be if I ever wish to be one of the best on the earth. That is the benchmark.
“He is likely one of the biggest to ever do it, and this battle for me goes to place me in that place. That is the place I take over as one of many biggest to ever do it. That is the place my years of constructing and climbing that ladder goes to some extent the place I’m now the man that’s one of many biggest to ever do it.”
Du Plessis nonetheless feels underestimated however thinks beating Adesanya is what’s going to lastly earn him the respect he seeks and silence any doubters.
“He’s a really sensible fighter,” Du Plessis mentioned on Adesanya. “He figures out his opponents, and he units numerous traps. He does it extremely effectively. So for me, this battle is rather like how beating Robert Whittaker was. It’s a battle that individuals don’t suppose you’re going to win. It’s a tough battle.
“I’m preventing in opposition to arguably one of many biggest middleweights ever, and I’ve to go on the market and show that I’m that man. That’s what this battle goes to imply to me. It’s going to imply I advised you I belong right here. This battle goes to imply that Dricus Du Plessis is now within the dialog of being one of many biggest middleweights ever.”
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