Chael Sonnen Explains How UFC Champion Israel Adesanya "Beat" Dricus du Plessis

Sonnen thinks Adesanya has a win over du Plessis.

Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen believes Israel Adesanya got one over on Dricus du Plessis.

Adesanya was expected to put his UFC Middleweight Championship on the line against du Plessis at UFC 293 on September 9. It was reported by Ariel Helwani that du Plessis likely won't be ready in time for the title fight. This prompted Adesanya to issue a video statement blasting du Plessis.

(via Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports)

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In a recent video posted on his YouTube channel, Chael Sonnen shared his take on Dricus du Plessis seemingly not being ready to go in September. He explained why he sees this as a win for Adesanya.

"Well, he beat him," Sonnen said. "Izzy beat him. What do you think of that statement? I mean it, I don't say that to have a clever hook, I don't say it tongue in cheek. I grew up in the sport of wrestling and on the very rare occasion that somebody could not go on, we went on without them.

"Whether they didn't show up for the match to start with or they started the match and decided they didn't want to finish it, either way we went on and it was a loss to them and it was a win for the guy that did show up.

"Izzy beat du Plessis, period. He set a date, he agreed to show up, he continued on, du Plessis isn't showing up."

Adesanaya has declared that du Plessis is out, and Sean Strickland is in. Strickland has already thrown his name in the hat for the next 185-pound title fight. The UFC hasn't made Adesanya's next title defense official at this time.

The build up and press conference for Adesanya/Strickland will be fun

The fight not so much... pic.twitter.com/0U5F5dDfTZ

— 𝕽𝖆𝖎𝖓𝖒𝖆𝖐𝖊𝖗❂ (@Sa_Gwang) July 20, 2023

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