Whittaker or Adesanya? Du Plessis reveals his who he wants to fight if he becomes champion at UFC 297

Dricus du Plessis has opened up about his fight with Rob Whittaker and where things stand with Israel Adesanya.

Dricus du Plessis (R) upset Aussie Rob Whittaker (L) last year. Picture: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Dricus du Plessis says it would be an honour to fight Robert Whittaker again if ‘Stillknocks’ becomes the middleweight champion this weekend, and teased the possibility of headlining the UFC’s first ever card in Africa.

South African du Plessis earned a title shot with his stunning second round knockout of Whittaker last July, and will challenge current titleholder Sean Strickland at UFC 297 in Toronto this weekend.

Starting this weekend, Main Event on Kayo Sports and Foxtel will be the exclusive home of UFC Pay-Per-View events in Australia.

Du Plessis is a massive fan of Whittaker’s, and says he’d gladly fight the Sydneysider again provided Whittaker works his way back into title contention.

“I think Rob definitely has what it takes,” du Plessis told this masthead. “He’s still young, he’s an incredible fighter and he’s got another run in him.

“He’s one of those guys where, if he’s not going to be at the top of the pile, he’s not going to do it – it’s not worth it.

“He doesn’t take me as the type of guy who will do this just for the money.”

Du Plessis burst into title contention with a shock win over Rob Whittaker last year. Picture: Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Whittaker takes on Paulo Costa at UFC 298 in Anaheim next month, and a convincing win could propel him back to title fight contention.

“If I’m champion and he beats Costa – and it’s a big test, but I think he will – then if he gets two more high profile wins, he’s right back in the discussion.

“I’ve got all the respect in the world for him and it would be an honour to share the cage with him again.”

Whittaker says du Plessis is now on the “list of rematches” he wants, but believes Still Knocks could have his work cut out for him at UFC 297 in Toronto.

The build-up between Strickland (L) and du Plessis (R) has been heated. Picture: Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

“It’s a tricky one, I would expect Sean to keep Dricus at the end of his jab for five rounds – nothing too engaging,” Whittaker told this masthead. “You will see some highlights now and then, but I can see it going the distance and Sean winning.

“But in saying that, Dricus is really good at turning things ugly and into a dogfight, taking people into areas they are not comfortable in.

“He could do that and change a lot of things.

“The fact that he is big, strong and awkward. That in itself is a reliable tool to have.”

Whittaker believes Strickland will be able to keep du Plessis at bay with his jab. Picture: Getty Images

Du Plessis was a massive underdog leading into his shock win over Whittaker, and says the Las Vegas win was a turning point in his career.

“I’m such a big fan of his – always have been,” he said. “I remember he walked into the cage and stood across from me and I was like, ‘holy s**t, that’s Robert Whittaker’.

“I couldn’t believe it, I’m honestly getting goosebumps talking about it right now.

“It was such a big moment for me as an athlete and as a fan of the sport.

“It’s the old saying, train until your heroes become your competition, then kill your heroes completely.

“I have all the respect in the world for him as a person and a fighter, and to go out there and win the way I did proved that I belong with the top fighters in the world.”

Du Plessis celebrates his win over Whittaker. Picture: Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Du Plessis is certain about a possible title fight against Israel Adesanya.

Adesanya confronted du Plessis in the cage moments after the South African’s win over Whittaker, with footage of their back-and-forth instantly going viral and seemingly setting up a title fight for UFC 293 in Sydney in September.

But when du Plessis picked up an injury and was unable to fight, Strickland swooped in to claim the title in one of the biggest shocks in UFC history.

Israel Adesanya confronts du Plessis in a wild exchange. Picture: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Adesanya has since spoken about taking some time away from the Octagon, and despite rumours he would fight either Strickland or du Plessis at UFC 300, the future of the middleweight division remains unclear.

“I don’t know what he wants to do,” du Plessis said of Adesanya. “He’s saying a lot of things, I have no idea what the plan is.

“I don’t know what Izzy’s plan is, but becoming champion and fighting him next would be great.

“We owe people that fight and I’d love that. On African soil too – South African soil. That’s the plan.”

Originally published as Whittaker or Adesanya? Du Plessis reveals his who he wants to fight if he becomes champion at UFC 297