Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker does not consider the result of the title fight between Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland, in which the American fighter lost by split decision and lost his belt, to be controversial.
“I don’t understand why the result is so controversial,” the Australian told MMAJunkie. “I’ve seen a lot of fighters and even Dana White talk about Du Plessis not winning the fight. I, on the other hand, think he won and I want to congratulate Dricus because that’s what he wanted. I said he’s a big, strong guy who is a very uncomfortable guy to fight.”
After watching the title fight, Whittaker began to understand more about why he lost to the South African in his previous fight.
“Dricus never gives up and he was ready to leave the octagon on a stretcher. I congratulate the new champion because he wanted it more. After seeing this fight from the outside, I realized that I didn’t prepare for the fight with him properly. I didn’t give him the respect he deserved. I knew he was a tough and challenging fighter, but I didn’t realize how tough, strong and hungry he was. I won’t make that mistake again.”
As a reminder, Robert Whittaker will square off against Paulo Costa on February 17 at UFC 298 in Anaheim, while Dricus Du Plessis could make his first title defense against former division champion Israel Adesanya.
Source: https://fighttime.ru/news/item/33740-uittaker-nazval-pobeditelya-v-boyu-dyu-plessi-i-striklenda.html?rand=19907
