Du Plessis vs Adesanya Prediction: Time to See Who’s the ‘Real African’ Champion
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Vladislav Tchakarov
It is almost time for Dricus Du Plessis to prove he is “the real African champion” against one of the most decorated former champions. We had to wait a year to see this fight and it is finally time. Here is our Du Plessis vs Adesanya prediction.
Du Plessis vs Adesanya Prediction: Tensions Are High
Dricus Du Plessis Preview
Dricus Du Plessis is a 30-year-old fighter from South Africa, who has quickly become one of the elite fighters in the MMA world. With a record of 21-2 and an impressive 19 stoppages, he has proven his versatility both on the feet and on the ground.
Du Plessis is not afraid of risks and always goes all the way, relying on the judo and kickboxing skills that he developed as a child. Du Plessis is known for his aggressive fighting style, which has allowed him to knock out fighters like Robert Whittaker and Derek Brunson, and submit others like Darren Till.
Despite his impressive accomplishments, Du Plessis has some weaknesses. His style, built around constant pressure and high activity, can leave him quickly worn down and vulnerable in the later rounds.
His aggressive approach also often opens him up to counter-punching, which is especially dangerous against fighters like Adesanya. Cardio is another area of concern, especially in five-minute rounds against fighters who can keep up a fast pace.
Du Plessis has never fought someone like the former champion and he will have to plan an entirely different approach for this contest. Before we give our final Du Plessis vs Adesanya prediction, let's take a closer look at his decorated opponent.
Israel Adesanya Preview
Israel Adesanya, a 35-year-old fighter from Nigeria, is widely considered one of the greatest strikers in UFC history. With a record of 24-3 with 16 knockouts, he displays exceptional technique and fighting intelligence. Adesanya is known for his ability to control the distance, and his counter-punching skills force opponents to make mistakes at every turn.
He became champion for the first time in 2019, defending his title five times, before losing it to Alex Pereira in their first MMA clash, and winning it back again in their rematch six months later.
Despite losing the belt to Sean Strickland shortly after, Adesanya remains one of the most recognizable figures in the sport. He had planned a long break from fighting and originally claimed that he would return in 2027. Clearly, Du Plessis becoming champion made him rethink his decision and he requested an immediate title bout.
There are some points of concern ahead of this bout. He has suffered two losses in his last three fights, raising questions about his ability to handle pressure and withstand aggressive opponents.
His penchant for a cautious style of fighting and his reliance on counter-attacks could work against him if he fails to adapt to Du Plessis’ pace and intensity.
Our Dricus Du Plessis vs Israel Adesanya Prediction: And New… Three-Time Champion
The fight between Du Plessis and Adesanya is a classic battle of pressure vs technique. u Plessis will likely look to seize the initiative early on, imposing his aggressive style. His goal is to close the distance, take the fight to the fence, and use his powerful strikes and takedowns to control his opponent.
Adesanya, meanwhile, will rely on his experience and precision. It will be important for him to keep his distance and use his long punches to neutralize Du Plessis’s pressure. Israel will look to wear down his opponent, accumulating points through accurate strikes, and perhaps look for an early finish if Du Plessis eases up on the pressure.
The key will be Adesanya’s ability to adapt to the South African’s aggression and not allow him to dominate in the clinch or on the ground. If the fight goes to the late rounds, Adesanya's chances of winning will increase, as his cardio and ability to control the pace are unmatched.
With this said, we have to side with “The Last Stylebender” for our final Du Plessis vs Adesanya prediction. Despite his age and the year-long layoff, he has a higher fighting IQ and has more tools to defeat his opponent.
Vlad is a former amateur MMA fighter. After a series of injuries, he found a different way to connect with the sport and its fanbase - through writing. He's been covering everything-UFC for over 5 years on various platforms and has been part of the team at NYFights since early 2022.
