It all comes down to UFC 305 after weeks and even months of build-up between Israel Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis. Two top Middleweight contenders, both having match records, who are willing to solve their difference in the Octagon. Lovers of the sport are eagerly waiting for what could be an exciting fight because the two fighters are not newcomers to the ring. In the following days leading to the fight, let’s analyze these two combatants’ backgrounds and their typical fighting stance.
Dricus Du Plessis: A Hazardous Adversary
Dricus du Plessis who is the current middleweight champion is well known for his stiff and vicious discipline when fighting. He began training in martial arts when he was 15, initially in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and judo but came to especialise when he switched to kick boxing. Du Plessis has never fought professionally but his amateur record was superb with 33 wins out of 33 bouts. The majority of these wins which he credited to his attacking style were knock out.
Du Plessis partook in the K-1 category and emerged as the overall medallist at the 2012 WAKO Junior World Championships. This he achieved in 1999 when he enter mixed martial arts, where he now fight and show his knock out ability. Not many fighters are similar to the South African fighter in terms of aggressiveness and determination that has seen him rise through the UFC ranks.
Holding a record of seventy-five wins in eighty fights, including the Glory Kickboxing of which many where high profile contests, Adesanya has proven to be among the best boxers globally. Contender in kickboxing Adesanya began training in New Zealand and later won three King of the Ring titles. Such overnight singles elimination tournament victories proved him to be a sharp shooter when under pressure.
But what truly solidified his legend was the time he spent with Glory. Adesanya earned Fight of the Year in 2017 and the Glory Middleweight title in 2016 after losing to Alex Pereira. His entry into mixed martial arts was smooth, and he immediately rose to prominence in the medium weight class of the UFC by showcasing his striking abilities.
Which way do Adesanya and du Plessis compare?
Fans are eager to see how Adesanya’s technical prowess contrasts with du Plessis’s overwhelming strength when fight night approaches. With 16 career knockout victories in mixed martial arts (MMA), Adesanya is regarded as one of the sport’s elite competitors. He is a formidable opponent who can defeat anyone thanks to his ability to combine strength and accuracy. Even with a 48% strike rate, he is notable for his dexterity and long-range abilities. In addition to his striking ability, Adesanya holds a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He has an incredible 78% takedown defense percentage.
Du Plessis, though, has shown to be an irresistible force inside the Octagon. With four knockouts in seven UFC fights, his striking accuracy is just slightly greater than Adesanya’s 50%. However, due to his poor takedowns, du Plessis’ defense has come under fire. However, he is a formidable opponent who can terminate a battle at any time due to his unwavering power and agility.
