Dricus du Plessis’ key to victory: Make it an ugly fight
South African MMA star Dricus Du Plessis isn’t favoured for his UFC 290 Middleweight title eliminator bout against Australian Robert Whittaker but this isn’t an unwinnable fight for Stillknocks. Du Plessis’ banter has some knickers twisted but it has put him in position to force his way into the UFC Middleweight title scene slightly ahead of […]
South African MMA star Dricus Du Plessis isn’t favoured for his UFC 290 Middleweight title eliminator bout against Australian Robert Whittaker but this isn’t an unwinnable fight for Stillknocks.
Du Plessis’ banter has some knickers twisted but it has put him in position to force his way into the UFC Middleweight title scene slightly ahead of schedule.
DRICUS DU PLESSIS’ KEY TO VICTORY
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What does Dricus Du Plessis need to do to overcome Robert Whittaker in Las Vegas on Sunday?
Whittaker’s recent losses won’t give Du Plessis a blueprint for victory given that his defeats came to fighters with radically different styles to the South African.
He will know what he needs to avoid doing against Whittaker and that will be giving The Reaper and easy target for his strikes or trying to spar with the Australian.
What time is Dricus Du Plessis vs Robert Whittaker at UFC 290
Du Plessis might find hesitance a greater foe than recklessness when he steps into the Octagon with Whittaker.
He will need to close on Whittaker quickly and recognise that he will benefit more from a sloppy brawl than his opponent and should be out to take his opponent off his feet where his striking game presents the greatest danger.
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Du Plessis should also recognise that he likely won’t be winning the crowd over if he puts in a flashy display and he needs to be prepared to finish the contest if he can force such an opportunity.
The South African has shown that he can drag a fight to a place that suits him and his tenacity and resilience have already surprised UFC fighters.
UFC 290 FIGHT CARD
Details of fights subject to change.
- MAIN EVENT: Alexander Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez – for UFC featherweight title
- Brandon Moreno vs Alexandre Pantoja – for UFC flyweight title
- Robert Whittaker vs Dricus du Plessis
- Jalin Turner vs Dan Hooker
- Bo Nickal vs Tresean Gore
Preliminary card
- Robbie Lawler vs Niko Price
- Sean Brady vs Jack Della Maddalena
- Yazmin Jauregui vs Denise Gomes
- Jimmy Crute vs Alonzo Menifield
Early preliminary card
- Vitor Petrino vs Marcin Prachino
- Cameron Saaiman vs Terrence Mitchell
- Shannon Ross vs Jesus Aguilar
- Kamuela Kirk vs Esteban Ribovics