The middleweight champion of the UFC was involved in some back and forth during his incredible turnout.
While Dricus Du Plessis remains unbeaten in the Octagon with nine consecutive victories, he was certainly tested on the way.
Du Plessis is deep in his preparations for UFC 319, where many believe that he will take on his most difficult challenge since he wins the 185 pound title.
The Khamzat Chimaev team believes that he has made a number of crucial adjustments with which he can leave Chicago with the middleweight gold on August 16.
Prior to one of the biggest title fights of the year, the defending champion shared his thoughts about whom his best and most difficult opponents have been so far.
Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty images
Dricus Du Plessis calls Israel Adesanya as the best opponent he has fought
Dricus Du Plessis recently shared his thoughts about who was his best opponent when viewing his return to UFC 319 in social media clips placed by Betway.
Many of his best victories were not unilateral results, but as he always did in the Octagon, the South African thought it was a way to get over the line.
At UFC 305, many felt like Israel Adesanya were in the predominance and on the way to recovering the middleweight title in a spectacular return.
Unfortunately for 'The Last Stylebender', his opponent made an estimation and produced an entry in the fourth round, with Du Plessis Adesanya credited as his best opponent.
“My most difficult opponent so far, well that is a very open question because there were battles that were the hardest for me,” said Du Plessis. “I have to say that probably Adesanya was the best man I encountered in his specific area. [It was] Probably the fight I was most nervous for, only in terms of how good he is.
“He can catch you with everything at any time. All the time I looked at him and studied him, because he was the benchmark. Knowing what he is capable of, I think he is the best man I have confronted and of course if you look at that fight, it was a great fight. It was a tough night for both of us.”
Fans responded to Du Plessis' comments through the clip that was posted on social media and weigh their thoughts on his choice.
'Hey Dricus, brother, you are great, but at least you don't lie. Adesanya? Real? That is now the least dangerous middleweight on the Roster. '
'Give lost first for Sean [Strickland] And could not finish him while he was weak with Staph during the second fight, his leg also broke on Sean … but ok. '
'Wait until he is opposite Khamzat's hurricane [Chimaev]. Guy will not know what touched him. '
“So it means that Sean Strickland is very easy for him?”
“That is the mark of a real champion – acknowledges the skills of your toughest opponent while you still find a way to beat them.”
“And Adesanya said that Khamzat was his easiest fight, Khamzat will tap in the first round.”
Dricus Du Plessis mentions Israel Adesanya as the best opponent he has ever confronted 🔥👏
“I have to say that Adesanya was the best man I had confronted. It was probably the fight that I was most nervous for. He can catch you everywhere. All the time I looked up at him and studied him, … pic.twitter.com/orhimyc
– Red Corner MMA (@redcorner_Mma) 5 August 2025
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Dricus Du Plessis has tackled Sean Strickland in the same video clip
Although many of the reactions to this message called Sean Strickland called a counterpoint for the comments of Dricus du Plessis after their close meeting at UFC 297, he has tackled this.
After he had already stated that it was an open question, the champion explained at the end of the video that although Israel Adesanya was the best opponent he was confronted with, he also came across stricter opposition.
“But then, if you just go pure toughness, you have to go with Brad Tavares or Sean Strickland. Only the amount of damage they could cause and just continue.”
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
One fan pointed this out in the reactions and tried to explain that Du Plessis covered both bases.
'English is difficult for some people. Dricus said that Adesanya was his best opponent because of the tools that Izzy presents and the caliber of the opponent he is, while Strickland was his most difficult because he was not easy to get out of it. Strickland and Tavares were the most difficult challenges of Dricus.