Dricus du Plessis is the current UFC middleweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter
Known for his great ease in provoking and irritating his opponents during fight promotion, Dricus Du Plessis has been generating questions among his fans about the posture adopted before UFC 319. Scheduled to face Khamzat Chimaev this Saturday (16), the South African avoids promoting issues that will generate rivalry with the challenger for the middleweight belt (up to 83,9kg).
When asked why he was being more peaceful ahead of his third title defense and one of the biggest fights of his career, Dricus was candid in explaining why he has been praising rather than provoking his next opponent.
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"I can't practice these things. People are certain I practice these things. I can't. If it's in the moment, it's funny; if it's predetermined, it's kind of embarrassing for me. So far, it doesn't seem like it will be necessary. The anticipation surrounding the fight is already high enough. There's no need for a fake rivalry. But if that's the path he wants to take, let's go," Du Plessis declared in an interview at UFC 319's media day.
Dricus du Plessis defends his title against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319. Photo: Reproduction X/UFC News
In a recent statement, the South African even admitted that Chimaev will be his toughest opponent in his career so far. In his last fights, Du Plessis managed to make Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya cry after stunning them with his provocations during press conferences.
UFC 319 protagonists Dricus and Chimaev will fight for the middleweight belt in Chicago (USA), this Saturday (16). Currently, the champion appears as a big underdog in the bookmakers.
Read More about: Dricus Du Plessis, Khamzat Shimaev, MMA, UFC, UFC 319, Ultimate
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