Chris Weidman lauds UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis for his current run.
Du Plessis (21-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) makes his first title protection towards Israel Adesanya (24-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) within the UFC 305 major occasion Aug. 17 at RAC Area in Perth (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+).
Former champion Weidman (16-7 MMA, 12-7 UFC) admits there have been query marks surrounding Du Plessis at first, however credited him for changing into champion.
“Dricus Du Plessis, there was a lot doubt about this man as a result of he’s received such an unorthodox model, and he appears to be like drained lots of the time, however he’s actually confirmed to be a worthy champion,” Weidman informed Cageside Press.
“The Adesanya battle arising, I’m tremendous excited to see that. You’ve received a far more polished striker historically, actually athletic and simply nice method, towards a man who type of lunges ahead, his chin is up within the air. So it’s going to be fascinating to see how that entanglement works.”
Weidman was in a position to finish Anderson Silva’s lengthy title reign to turn out to be middleweight champion in 2013. He defended his belt 3 times earlier than he misplaced it to Luke Rockhold in 2015.
Up to now 12 months, the middleweight title has modified fingers a number of occasions – from Adesanya, to Sean Strickland, to now Du Plessis.
“It’s enjoyable to observe,” Weidman stated on his division. “It’s all the time thrilling when you might have type of a fluid division the place you don’t have only one champion up high. The belt has been altering fingers lots.”
Weidman picked up his first win since 2020 when he scored a unanimous determination win over Bruno Silva at UFC on ESPN 54. He isn’t at the moment booked, however nonetheless has the need to compete.
“I’m nonetheless coaching and I’m trying to kick some ass right here within the UFC nonetheless.”
You’ll want to go to the MMA Junkie Instagram web page and YouTube channel to debate this and extra content material with followers of combined martial arts.