I'm a sucker for a good fight match-up. Ever since Dricuss du Plessis beat Robert Whittaker, the fight where Israel Adesanya decided to enter the ring and say some crazy things, the rumour mill has been milling. Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya rumours have peeked, with new rumours pointing to a UFC 305 match-up in August 2024.

The anticipation builds as rumours swirl about a potential clash between two middleweight titans: Dricus “Stillknocks” Du Plessis and Israel “The Last Stylebender” Adesanya. While the fight has not been officially confirmed, fans and pundits are excitedly buzzing. Let’s delve into the details and explore the likelihood of this epic showdown.

The Fighters

Dricus Du Plessis

Dricus Du Plessis, the reigning UFC Middleweight Champion, has been making waves in the MMA world. Hailing from South Africa, Du Plessis boasts an impressive professional record of 21 wins and 2 losses. His recent split decision victory over Sean Strickland in January secured him the middleweight belt at UFC 297. Du Plessis is known for his knockout power and well-rounded skill set, making him a formidable opponent for anyone in the division.

“Let one of those drunken overhands [from Dricuss] connect tho and it Might kill a dude, he puts everything into those and Strickland wanted nothing to do with that. And the worse part is he never stops trying to land it; he presses forward repeatedly regardless of how hurt he is.” said one Redditor about Du Plessis.

Israel Adesanya

Israel Adesanya needs no introduction. The former middleweight champion, Adesanya, has dazzled fans with his striking prowess and unique fighting style. With a professional record of 24 wins and 3 losses, Adesanya’s last fight was a title bout against Sean Strickland at UFC 293, where he suffered a loss. Despite the setback, Adesanya remains one of the UFC's most skilled and charismatic fighters.

"Izzy also will be happy to fight someone like dricus who blitzes recklessly, as opposed to Strickland who pressured forward very measured and defensive.......if dricus fights like he usually does, izzy will have plenty of opportunity to counter hard for the KO 🥶" explains a user on the MMA subreddit.

The Rumors

Ariel Helwani’s Insight

MMA insider Ariel Helwani recently tweeted (or is it Xed?) that Adesanya is “100% in” for a UFC 305 middleweight championship fight against Du Plessis if a contract is offered. While this statement doesn’t guarantee the fight, it fuels the fire. Fans are eagerly awaiting an official announcement from the UFC.

Du Plessis’ Hints

Du Plessis himself has dropped hints about a potential title defence against Adesanya. Following his win over Strickland, he teased a middleweight title fight at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia. The timing aligns perfectly, and the location would add to the spectacle. However, we can only speculate until the ink is dry on the contract. Du Plessis sounds keen on the fight if you look at his Instagram, where he said, "Looks like someone wants another beating in Australia. I’m in; I also wouldn’t want to fight the king of Africa on home soil. Manifestations working good for you AGAIN!"

Speculative Odds

There are no official odds for the Du Plessis vs. Adesanya matchup. However, let’s consider the South African market’s perspective. Keep in mind that these odds are purely speculative and subject to change:

Du Plessis (Stillknocks): 60%

Adesanya (The Last Stylebender): 40%

Adesanya is certainly not a contender to write off. Remember, these percentages are not based on concrete data but reflect the excitement and anticipation surrounding the potential fight. Betting markets will adjust once the bout is confirmed, considering recent performances, styles, and public sentiment.

While we eagerly await the official announcement, one thing is certain: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya will be a blockbuster showdown. Whether it happens at UFC 305 or in a future event, fans can’t help but dream of witnessing these two elite fighters collide inside the Octagon. Stay tuned for updates, and let’s hope the stars align for this epic battle.

My gut tells me that my money would be best placed on Adesanya for this fight. For now, I'm watching for the UFC's official announcement of the fight.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is based on rumours and speculation. The actual fight details may differ once officially confirmed by the UFC.