UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis is getting frustrated with the unexplained holdup surrounding the announcement of his next title fight.
As speculation surrounding the main event of UFC 305 continues to build, a frustrated middleweight champion in Dricus du Plessis is calling for the promotion to finally announce his next title fight.
Champion Dricus du Plessis frustrated with UFC title fight delay
Speaking via the First Wave YouTube channel, UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis confirmed that when it comes to his expected title fight against Israel Adesanya, he’s getting frustrated with the lack of communication from both ‘Stylebender’ and the promotion.
“For me, I’m in and ready – I’ve agreed to everything and I’m ready – I want to do it… That’s the fight I want, I called them up after winning the belt, that’s the fight the fans want to see and at the end of the day, that’s the fight I want to have, that’s the guy I want to fight.
“Let’s just announce this thing, I don’t know what’s the holdup,” stated a visibly irritated du Plessis, adding that “I want it to be announced – I’ve said yes 100%, I don’t know from his side what the story is, I don’t know what the holdup is.
“Maybe the UFC is waiting for something, [but] I’m not sure,” acknowledged the champion, adding “If we can do 305 in Perth, I would love that,” with UFC 305 scheduled for August 17 at the RAC Arena in Western Australia.
“I’ve been ready for it, like I said I’ve agreed to everything, if that’s the fight they want, let’s do it, I don’t know what we’re waiting for, to be honest… I don’t know if it’s a holdup from his side or if it’s the UFC waiting for the right time to announce the fight, but I’m 100% happy with that fight or any other fight they want to make.”
Interestingly, Adesanya’s teammate Dan Hooker not only revealed that his own return fight has been set for UFC 305 earlier in the day, but seemingly confirmed in his breakdown that the former middleweight champion will feature in Perth.
“They said I’ll be on the card, but I just got no idea who I’m fighting. I don’t care if they’re ranked, unranked, higher, lower, left or right – I just want to be on that date… Like Kai’s on it, Izzy’s on there so I just want to have fun with my mates,” Hooker told Combat TV.
Only a few hours later, Adesanya actually posted a video to his official YouTube channel in which he teased a newfound motivation for making his long-awaited UFC comeback.
“People are always like ‘I hope you get the belt back’, I have belts… I don’t need any more belts, I’m coming for heads, that’s what I want to do. There’s just a few more that I have to touch and take,” stated the former champion.
Dricus du Plessis breaks down what Whittaker vs Chimaev means for his division
Whilst Israel Adesanya is indeed the expected next opponent for du Plessis, the South African champion will be keeping a close eye on the upcoming main event of UFC Saudi Arabia between #3 ranked Robert Whittaker and #10 Khamzat Chimaev.
“Very exciting division at the moment, I think with Khamzat and Whittaker fighting that makes it very interesting – that’s a big test for Khamzat and that’s a big step for Whittaker in what’s next for his career,” said the champion.
Yet despite Dana White having previously confirmed that this bout would be a number one contender’s matchup, du Plessis argues only one of the two athletes would actually get a shot at his title with a win in Saudi Arabia.
“He [Whittaker] needs that win if he’s going to stay in that run and obviously, I have the world’s respect for Whittaker, I think he’s one of the greatest athletes ever… In my opinion, should Whittaker beat Khamzat, I don’t think it warrants him a title shot.”
The 185lb king noted that instead, he’d love to face such an undefeated phenom as Khamzat Chimaev for the middleweight title, although he’d be willing to accept any of three potential opponents.
“For Khamzat, [he’s an] exciting prospect in the middleweight division because he has this aura [as] he hasn’t been beaten, so should he beat Whittaker, I would love to fight Khamzat.
“At the end of the day, if I had to fight either Strickland, Adesanya or Khamzat, I would not have a problem with either of those because they’re good fights either way.”
As of June 2024, the UFC has not yet confirmed the next middleweight title fight.