Dricus du Plessis said it would be an honor to fight Robert Whittaker again if 'Stillknocks' becomes middleweight champion this weekend, and raised the possibility of headlining the first-ever UFC card in Africa.
South African Du Plessis earned a title shot following his impressive second-round knockout win over Whittaker last July, and will challenge current titleholder Shawn Strickland at UFC 297 in Toronto this weekend.
Starting this weekend, Main Event on Kayo Sports and Foxtel will be the exclusive home for UFC Pay-Per-View events in Australia.
Du Plessis is a huge Whittaker fan, and says he would gladly fight the Sydney side again if Whittaker returns to title contention.
“I think Rob definitely has what it takes,” Du Plessis said in the key announcement. “He's still young, he's an amazing fighter and he has another chance.
“He's one of those guys, if he's not at the top of the standings, he's not going to do it – it's not worth it.
“He doesn't consider me the type of person who would do it just for the money.”
Whittaker will face Paulo Costa at UFC 298 in Anaheim next month, and a convincing win could propel him back into title contention.
“If I'm the champion and he beats Costa – which is a big test, but I think he will do – then if he gets two more high-profile wins, he'll be back in the discussion.
“I have all the respect in the world for him and it would be an honor to share the cage with him again.”
Whittaker says du Plessis is now on his “bout list”, but he believes Steele Knox can finish his job at UFC 297 in Toronto.
“It's a tough job, I expect Shawn to keep Drekus at the end of his potion for five rounds – nothing too interesting,” Whittaker said in that masthead. “You'll see some highlights every now and then, but I can see it going the long way and Sean winning.
“But when he says it, Drekos is very good at turning things ugly and into dogfights, taking people into areas where they don't feel comfortable.
“He can do that and change a lot of things.
“The truth is that he's big and strong and awkward. That in itself is a reliable tool.”
Du Plessis was a huge underdog leading up to his upset win over Whittaker, and says the win in Las Vegas was a turning point in his career.
“I'm a huge fan, always have been,” he said. “I remember he came into the cage and stood in front of me and I said to him: ‘Oh my God, that’s Robert Whittaker.’”
“I couldn't believe it, I honestly get goosebumps when I talk about it now.
“It was a big moment for me as an athlete and as a fan of the sport.
“It's the old saying, train until your champions are your competitors, then kill your champions outright.
“I have all the respect in the world for him as a person and a fighter, and to go out there and win the way I do is prove that I belong among the best fighters in the world.”
Du Plessis is certain a title fight against Israel Adesanya is likely.
Adesanya faced Du Plessis in the cage moments after the South African's win over Whittaker, with footage of the two going back and forth immediately spreading and appearing to be gearing up for a title fight at UFC 293 in Sydney in September.
But when du Plessis was injured and unable to fight, Strickland pounced to capture the title in one of the biggest upsets in UFC history.
Adesanya has since spoken about taking some time away from the octagon, and despite rumors that he will fight Strickland or du Plessis at UFC 300, the future of the middleweight division remains unclear.
“I don’t know what he wants to do,” Du Plessis said of Adesanya. “He says a lot of things, I have no idea what the plan is.
“I don't know what Izzy's plan is, but for him to become champion and fight him next would be great.
“We owe it to the people who are fighting and I love that. And on African soil too – South African soil. That's the plan.”
