VIDEO: Dricus Du Plessis Knocks Out Robert Whittaker, Has Heated Stare Down With Israel Adesanya

“Stillknocks” has earned his title shot.

Former champion Robert Whittaker has been the gatekeeper of the middleweight division and is the man to beat if you want a chance at the belt. If you want to get to champion Israel Adesanya, you have to make it through him first. The last time someone not named Adesanya beat Whittaker was in 2014. 

Dricus Du Plessis has torn through the middleweight division, but Whittaker represented the best test of his career so far. He passed the test with flying colors. 

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Du Plessis showed that he was game for the challenge in the first round landing some big shots, but Whittaker had some good moments as well. The second round was all Du Plessis as he buckled Whittaker with a right hand, and finished the fight with a flurry of punches while the Australian fighter covered up. 

BOOK THE TITLE SHOT @DricusduPlessis finishes Rob Whittaker in the second at #UFC290! pic.twitter.com/8rArC8mdRX

— UFC (@ufc) July 9, 2023

Du Plessis predicted before the fight that he would end the fight within two rounds The South African fighter showed the world that he belongs against the elite of the division and that he deserved his title shot. 

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Adesanya was in the crowd and stared intensely at his next opponent. Several moments later he made his way into the Octagon and fireworks ensued. UFC commentator Joe Rogan was interviewing Du Plessis after the big win and then “The Last Stylebender” crashed the party. 

“It’s an easy fight and easy money,” Adesanya said. “I manifested this. I said I was going to have this moment, and I know I am going to have this moment.” 

ADESANYA ENTERS THE OCTAGON WITH DU PLESSIS #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/WBBsXOEuyE

— UFC (@ufc) July 9, 2023

This is a feud that has been brewing for months with both fighters trading barbs through social media. This is the fight that Adesanya has been calling for since his win over Alex Perreira. 

Du Plessis has made himself undeniable in the middleweight division and will carry an 8-fight winning streak into the title bout. Both Du Plessis and Adesanya have been fighting at an incredibly high level and the matchup between the two could be an all-time classic. 

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