UFC 305: Dricus du Plessis wants ‘done over’ Robert Whittaker over Sean Strickland

Despite Sean Strickland sitting in the box seat to challenge Dricus du Plessis for the belt next, the South African feels former champ Robert Whittaker is more deserving of another title opportunity.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 18: Dricus Du Plessis of South Africa celebrates winning his fight against Israel Adesanya of Nigeria by submission during UFC 305 at RAC Arena on August 18, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Fresh off his successful first defence of the middleweight title, Dricus du Plessis says Rob Whittaker is being “done over” by the UFC, and deserves the next shot at the belt.

Du Plessis scored a remarkable fourth round submission win over former two-time champion Israel Adesanya in the UFC 305 main event in Perth on Sunday.

The South African has now beaten every other active middleweight champion in the UFC going back six years.

UFC president Dana White has said Sean Strickland – who du Plessis beat in January – will be given the next title shot.

But the champ says Whittaker should be next in line.

“Robert Whitaker deserves the shot, I think he’s being done over,” he said. “Sean’s only saving grace is the fact that his was a split decision with me.”

Whittaker out-pointed Brazilian veteran Paulo Costa in February, and accepted a fight with the division’s boogeyman Khamzat Chimaev in June.

Chimaev was forced out of that fight with illness, so Whitaker knocked out late notice replacement Ikram Aliskerov instead.

Whittaker is now scheduled to fight Chimaev at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi in October.

“Robert Whittaker beat Paulo Costa in more spectacular fashion, I believe, than Strickland did,” du Plessis said.

“And then he was willing to step up and fight Khamzat. He pulls out, and Whittaker fights a nobody in that (Aliskerov) is not ranked.

“Whittaker made it look like he was fighting an amateur.

“And what does he get for it? Nothing.

Does Robert Whittaker deserve another crack at the title. Picture: Getty Images

“Then he says, ‘Okay, I’ll fight Khamzat again’.

“So if he beats Khamzat and you’re not giving him the title shot, he’s getting shorted unfortunately.

“But that’s not on me. I’ll fight whoever.

“Whittaker is definitely the one being done over in this, in my opinion. He’s more deserving, but life’s not fair.”

Although nothing is confirmed, the UFC is rumoured to be returning to Sydney in February.

Du Plessis has been linked to a title fight defence in South Africa, but a rematch of his July 2023 win over Whittaker would be a perfect main event.

Originally published as UFC 305: Dricus du Plessis wants ‘done over’ Robert Whittaker over Sean Strickland