Dricus Du Plessis vs Israel Adesanya Prediction: The battle will be a long one

Prediction for the MMA match which will take place on August 18. Who will turn out to be stronger? Check the team conditions! Several betting options are available.

Before appearing in the UFC in 2020, Dricus Du Plessis managed to become the champion of two not the worst leagues Extreme FC and KSW, and in the strongest promotion, gradually increasing the level of opposition, won six victories (without a single defeat) and, accordingly, took the belt. Frankly speaking, he won the championship fight with Strickland rather controversially (by split decision), but before that he knocked out Robert Whittaker, so it was no coincidence that he became champion.

Dricus is a very versatile fighter, if we may say so, and it's impossible to define his base, he feels great both in stand-up and in parterre, but both stand-up and parterre are not classical. The South African is always determined to finish early, and he usually achieves it - but it didn't work out with Strickland, will it work out with Adesanya, who has been fighting pragmatically and trying not to escalate lately?

Still, if we take into account the champion's cardio problems (yes, he has them), Izzy's plan for the fight becomes clear - to drag the fight out as far as possible, and then to score points.

Israel Adesanya was champion from 2019-2022, defended the title five times, but then Alex Pereira came in and ruined everything. Israel, however, regained the belt in a rematch, but then lost to Sean Strickland after failing to handle his pressure.

Adesanya's strengths and weaknesses are well known and the antidote to his incredible striking seems to be there, but not everyone can use it, and Izzy himself is working on his mistakes.

To win, Drikus needs chaos, while Israël, on the contrary, needs a tactically safe confrontation and a sporty fight. It is unlikely that anyone will achieve an obvious advantage here, but no one will make any hard mistakes for the time being. Or maybe even not at all.