Pros react after Dricus Du Plessis TKO’s Robert Whittaker at UFC 290
Tonight’s UFC 290 main card featured a middleweight number one contender match between Robert Whittaker and Dricus Du Plessis.
Whittaker (24-7 MMA) was returning to the Octagon for the first time since September of 2022 in Paris, where he had earned a lopsided decision victory over Marvin Vettori. ‘The Reaper’ was looking to score a third fight with reigning UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya with a dominant win this evening.
Meanwhile, Dricus Du Plessis (20-2 MMA) entered tonight’s contest sporting a seven-fight win streak, his most previous being a TKO victory over Derek Brunson back in March. Prior to that, the South African was coming off a submission win over Darren Till at last year’s UFC 282 event.
Tonight’s ‘Whittaker vs. Du Plessis’ matchup proved to be a coming out party for Dricus Du Plessis. The South African fighter was able to get Robert Whittaker to the ground in round one and landed some heavy ground and pound to close out the round. Then, in round two, ‘DDP’ dropped ‘The Reaper’ with a right hand. Whittaker scrambled back to his feet but only to be greeted by a huge flurry from Du Plessis. After some big shots, the referee stepped in and called a stop to the fight.
Official UFC 290 Result: Dricus Du Plessis def. Robert Whittaker via TKO in Round 2
Check out how the pros reacted to ‘Whittaker vs. Du Plessis’ below:
Going for Rob on this one!!! #UFC290
— “Wonderboy” Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) July 9, 2023
One of my favorites to study @robwhittakermma
— Kai Kamaka III (@kaiboikamaka) July 9, 2023
Post-fight reactions to Dricus Du Plessis defeating Robert Whittaker at UFC 290:
https://twitter.com/WonderboyMMA/status/1677882210358267904
Told ya
— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) July 9, 2023
Dricus stoking was highly underrated, not anymore #ufc290
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) July 9, 2023
https://twitter.com/bjpenndotcom/status/1677884072897527808
I guess 100% air du plessis is the real deal #UFC290
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) July 9, 2023
Wow. Uncharacteristic emotions from Izzy. #UFC290
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) July 9, 2023
https://twitter.com/MaxPainGriffin/status/1677883217171591168
https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA/status/1677883115031724035
Did y’all understand that shit?
— ike vallie-flagg (@IKEVF) July 9, 2023
https://twitter.com/LaurenMurphyMMA/status/1677882514357071872
Damn I did not expect that dricus is one powerful human being
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) July 9, 2023
Do you think Dricus Du Plessis can dethrone reigning UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya?
