Dricus du Plessis on Israel Adesanya: ‘He’s Not My Focus, The Title Is’

“I'm a fighter and I wanted to fight him”

Hours away from the most important fight of his life, Dricus du Plessis is absorbed by one sole goal: winning the UFC middleweight championship.

And it matters not who he beats for it.

“My focus is winning the title,” said du Plessis, who challenges reigning champion Sean Strickland in the main event of tonight’s UFC 297. “That’s all that matters.”

Courtesy Zuffa LLC

The first objective for du Plessis is to win the belt. Once he does, he wants a fight against former champ—and UFC icon—Israel Adesanya.

When du Plessis defeated Robert Whittaker this past summer, all signs pointed to a title bout against Adesanya. That notion was further amplified by an in-cage showdown with Adesanya after du Plessis vanquished Whittaker.

“Obviously after that performance, Izzy getting in the cage, it got my heart but burning,” said du Plessis. “It's disappointing when you can't fight who you want to fight. I'm a fighter and I wanted to fight him. But right now, it makes no difference. He’s not my focus, the title is.”

Strickland defeated Adesanya for the title in September at UFC 293. Ever since, du Plessis has narrowed his focus onto Strickland.

“As soon as Sean Strickland took that belt, then Sean Strickland became the target,” said du Plessis. “My focus is winning the world title.”