Dricus Du Plessis showed respect to Israel Adesanya for accepting a risk matchup with Joe Pyfer in the UFC Fight Night 271 main event.
Du Plessis (23-3 MMA, 9-1 UFC) defeated Adesanya (24-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) by fourth-round submission in a highly anticipated middleweight title fight at UFC 305 in August 2024. The pair had plenty of heat going in, but ultimately settled their differences in the aftermath of the contest.
Advertisement
Their careers have since splintered, with Du Plessis keen to get the 185-pound belt back after losing it to Khamzat Chimaev, while Adesanya looks to snap a three-fight losing skid against Pyfer (15-3 MMA, 6-1 UFC) in the March 28 headliner at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle (Paramount+).
At 36, Adesanya recently admitted he “can see the finish line” to the end of his career. He is No. 5 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie middleweight rankings, and still determined to make some more magic before he’s done. Part of that, however, is fighting well down against the unranked Pyfer, who will be eager to change his own career outlook with a win.
“Just kudos to Adesanya for giving a guy like Pyfer a chance,” Du Plessis told Fight Forecast. “He’s not close in the rankings, but it’s an exciting fight for the fans, and that just shows the quality of warrior he is. He’s putting his reputation on the line to fight an up-and-coming guy he doesn’t need to fight. He goes out there and says, ‘I want exciting fights,’ and this is exactly that.”
Du Plessis, 32, said he’s looking to an April return to the octagon, but has not signed a bout agreement for any opponent. He is determined to get a victory and secure a rematch with Chimaev, who is expected to make his first title defense against Nassourdine Imavov this year.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Dricus Du Plessis praises Israel Adesanya for taking Joe Pyfer fight
