Outside Source
Du Plessis (23-3) lost his middleweight title to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 last year. However, it didn’t feel like a fight to Du Plessis, as he was dominated for five straight rounds. Excluding the loss against Chimaev, Du Plessis considers Israel Adesanya the most technically sound opponent he has faced so far. Du Plessis was losing against Adesanya while defending his title in 2024, before he turned things around and submitted “The Last Stylebender.”
In terms of sheer grit, Du Plessis considers Brad Tavares and Sean Strickland his toughest opponents so far. Du Plessis has won two title fights against Strickland, who is known for defensive striking. Du Plessis notes that while Strickland rolled with his punches, Tavares kept standing despite absorbing some flush shots.
Technical and Tough
“Obviously, the Khamzat fight was one that I lost pretty significantly,” Du Plessis told Fight Forecast. “But for me, that wasn’t a fight. Let’s take that one out of the equation… Adesanya was the best guy that I have faced. His timing, his speed, the power he kicks with. Even takedown defense-wise. He was the best technical guy that I have ever faced. Toughest guy has to be Brad Tavares or Sean Strickland. It just has to be. Just in terms of the amount of shots they took and just kept standing. Strickland takes the punches but rolls with it. Tavares took some solid shots and just kept standing.”
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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