"How the f*ck are you 185 pounds?" - When Joe Rogan was alarmed for Israel Adesanya after Dricus du Plessis "starched" Robert Whittaker
Dricus du Plessis' rise to the UFC middleweight championship has been nothing short of meteoric, and his victory over Israel Adesanya in a highly anticipated grudge match solidified his position as a dominant force in the division. However, long before their showdown in the octagon, whispers of du Plessis' potential as a serious threat to Adesanya had already begun to circulate.
One of the earliest and most vocal proponents of du Plessis' danger was UFC commentator Joe Rogan. Following the South African's devastating knockout victory over Robert Whittaker at UFC 290, Rogan expressed genuine alarm at the prospect of du Plessis facing Adesanya.
In a Sept. 2023 episode of the JRE Fight Companion, Rogan, alongside Brendan Schaub, Bryan Callen, and Sam Tripoli, watched the Adesanya-Strickland fight with a keen eye on the potential matchup between the victor and du Plessis. It was during this broadcast that Rogan voiced his concerns about Adesanya's upcoming challenge.
"Dricus du Plessis versus Izzy for the number one contender. Oh my god. Dude, I don’t know now. After watching that man. Dricus is f**king scary. The way he beat the f**k out of Robert Whittaker. Who saw that coming? Especially after Whittaker and Adesanya had a very close second match. He is so big dude. Every time I shake his hand, I’m like, ‘How the f**k are you 185 pounds?’ He looks like a heavyweight."
Check out Joe Rogan's comment below:
Dricus du Plessis mocks Drake over $450K bet on Israel Adesanya at UFC 305
Drake's infamous losing streak in sports betting has continued, with the rapper suffering another significant financial setback. The Canadian artist placed a substantial $450,000 wager on Israel Adesanya to reclaim the UFC middleweight title from Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305.
However, du Plessis emerged victorious, leaving Drake empty-handed and the internet buzzing with memes.
Following his win, du Plessis took a playful dig at Drake, thanking the rapper for his support. The photo quickly went viral, with fans attributing Drake's betting history to Adesanya's loss. Known for his unwavering support for athletes, Drake's track record in betting has become a subject of ridicule, with a win-loss ratio of 17-189.
The fight itself was a thrilling encounter, with Du Plessis showcasing his dominance in the later rounds. Adesanya, despite his early aggression, couldn't withstand the pressure and eventually succumbed to a rear-naked choke.