Middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis retained the 185-pound title at UFC 312 final weekend, defeating former titleholder Sean Strickland in a largely one-sided determination.
When the 2 first fought at UFC 297, the battle resulted in a cut up determination after a spirited 5 rounds of combating. The rematch wasn’t that shut and legendary boxing coach Teddy Atlas give his evaluation on how Du Plessis was in a position to shut down Strickland within the second battle.
“I feel there is a purpose why it (the choice) was wider,” Atlas mentioned on THE FIGHT with Teddy Atlas podcast. “The old-timers, Cus D’Amato, they all the time informed me that profitable a title makes you 30% higher as a result of 75% is the thoughts half. It makes the thoughts stronger. It makes it higher. It makes it extra assured. It lets stuff you did not know earlier than you gained a title; that you would be able to rely on your self in waters, in areas that you just did not know you would. I feel that confirmed. Du Plessis was higher.”
In response to Atlas, a part of the explanation Strickland struggled in opposition to Du Plessis within the rematch was his combating fashion.
“He is (Strickland) acquired an amazing jab. He lives and dies by the sword. And generally you reside and die by the sword, on this case was the jab, and that sword will not be there for you, you die on that sword,” Atlas mentioned.
“Strickland’s power is his weak point. His power is to be chilly, calculating. He does not waste something. He is definitive. He is a surgeon. He is conservative. He does not make errors. He does not get overanxious. He does not aid you by getting overanxious by doing one thing that provides you alternatives to capitalize on,” Atlas continued.
Associated: Sean Strickland’s coach opens up about ‘uninspiring’ UFC 312 efficiency
“That is additionally what harm him in these final two fights (with Du Plessis) is that he’s so conservative. He does not waste something. He does not make errors. He does not take probabilities to make these errors in these sort of methods. So, you’ll be able to out hustle him generally. You possibly can generally outwork him. He leaves a possibility to be out hustled, simply outworked just a little bit… There are guys which can be going to match that, or come near it and likewise perform a little extra of it. Be just a little busier and go outdoors that realm and be extra artistic. That is Du Plessis.”
“He (Du Plessis) actually is the instance of why you hear that saying, ‘You possibly can’t choose a e-book by its cowl’ since you take a look at him and also you say, ‘What’s he doing?’ He is massive. He is robust. I get it, however ‘what’s he doing? I do not see it.’ Effectively, the opponent sees it. The opponent feels it. He is higher than he appears.”
