A shot at Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight gold hangs in the balance at UFC 290 this weekend (Saturday, July 8, 2023).
Former King of the Tag Teams Robert Whitaker is set to make his return against South African Dricos du Plessis at the International Fight Week event. A win for either man is expected to land them the next slot to win 185 pound champion, Israel Adesanya, later in the year.
Du Plessis will head into the bout as a huge underdog currently at +285 prospect with the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) teaming him up collectively. However, Whitaker does the opposite for this very reason.
(h/t. It’s the most dangerous fight yet) said Whitaker at UFC 290 media day. MMA fighting). “It’s because he’s the unwritten one. Everything in hindsight is easy, but he’s the unknown. I understand the risks he poses because not only is he a good, athletic person, but physically he’s a big guy, not a little flabby. He has nothing to lose, everyone’s already washed him up.”
He continued, “He’s the underdog in this fight and he told me something more dangerous than a man who has nothing to lose, everything to gain.” “And to show respect for that level of danger he brings, I’ve been training like a madman for the past 14 weeks, and maybe the best man will win. He’ll get the best version of me this weekend.”
Whitaker, 32, has been nearly flawless during his time at middleweight (12-2, 25-5 overall), having only suffered losses to the aforementioned Adesanya. In the event of a win, Whitaker plans to be ready for the target date of UFC 293 on September 10, 2023, in Sydney, Australia.
A potential loss to “The Reaper” would be only the third of Du Plessis’ 10-year career (5-0 in the UFC, 19-2 overall) and end his seven-match unbeaten streak.
“His flexibility,” Whitaker said. “His ability to not quit. He’s athletic, he’s talented, he’s got a very fine skill set, and the fact that he doesn’t quit is dangerous. He’s dangerous. You’re going to beat a lot of guys who do. I’ve seen that over and over in his fights, he was close.” So much from losing and then smashing victory because he didn’t quit and then his opponents do.”
“It’s not about smashing it,” he concluded. “It’s about being better than him. I’m going to try to take him apart. I’m going to try to create holes and chances that I can use to win.”
Remember that MMAmania.com It will provide comprehensive and explosive live coverage of the entire UFC 290 fight card herestarting early ESPN+ Online “Prelims” matches, which are set to start at 6 p.m. ET, then the remaining undercard on ESPN/ESPN+/ ABC at 8 PM ET, prior to the PPV main card’s 10 PM ET start time ESPN+ PPV.
To check out the latest and greatest UFC 290: “Volkanovski vs. Rodriguez” news and notes, be sure to access our extensive event archive. here.