Robert Whittaker respects Dricus Du Plessis’ willingness to struggle him at UFC 290.
Whittaker (24-6 MMA, 15-4 UFC) takes on Du Plessis (19-2 MMA, 5-0 UFC) at UFC 290 on July 8 from T-Cellular Area in Las Vegas.
Du Plessis is unbeaten within the UFC, a recent face for middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, and has already created a storyline with “The Last Stylebender” to get his alternative at gold. Du Plessis has admitted that taking the Whittaker struggle wasn’t the smart choice, however he desires to cement himself as No. 1 contender.
“I feel I learn someplace that he really commented on that and saying, ‘I’m not right here to do the good factor, I’m right here to struggle,’” Whittaker mentioned on his MMArcade Podcast. “That’s why I’m so proud of this struggle as a result of, like, I’ll respect that and provide you with a struggle with every part that I’ve. That’s the sport for me. That’s the craft. That’s fulfilling to me in my warrior spirit.”
Many, including Adesanya, don’t fee Du Plessis’ possibilities too excessive in opposition to Whittaker, however the former champion is worked up for the problem and is aware of he’ll be getting a sport Du Plessis.
“From every part I’ve seen with Dricus, he looks as if a straight-up fella,” Whittaker mentioned. “He looks as if a warrior. He’s bought like a superb warrior and honorable spirit about him. That actually excites me. It excites me to have an opponent like that, an opponent that sees the craft for what it’s for, sees what we’re getting ourselves into, staring throughout the octagon collectively within the ground area of the world. Understanding he’s like that simply gave me electrical tingles. I adore it.”
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