Robert Whittaker Expects Similar Outcome in Du Plessis-Strickland Rematch

Robert Whittaker believes Dricus du Plessis will beat Sean Strickland in their rematch at #UFC312

He also favors Khamzat Chimaev in a fight against either of them:

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“Stopping that first takedown is so crazy… how do you stop that?”

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Robert Whittaker doesn’t see anyone stopping Khamzat Chimaev’s takedowns.

Chimaev submitted “Bobby Knuckles” in the first round of their UFC 308 co-main event clash at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi this past October. While the matchup was expected to be a title eliminator, former champ Sean Strickland received the next title shot against Dricus Du Plessis, as was promised by UFC CEO Dana White.

Strickland lost his title via controversial split decision against Du Plessis at UFC 297 this past January in Canada. “Tarzan” bounced back with a split-decision win over Paulo Costa at UFC 302 in June and has since been adamant on waiting for a rematch against the champ. Meanwhile, “Stillknocks” defended his title with a submission win over Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in August. The South African will now meet Strickland in a rematch at UFC 312 on Feb. 8 at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. Whittaker believes the outcome of the rematch between du Plessis and Strickland won’t be any different from their first encounter.

“I don’t see the fight going any different,” Whittaker said on the MMA Arcade podcast. “Du Plessis [is] such a dog in there. He’s gonna come with the same aggressiveness and game plan. What could Sean do differently to change the outcome?”

Meanwhile, Chimaev has already been trading barbs with Strickland and will be in attendance for UFC 312 in Sydney. Whittaker believes the next likely contender, Chimaev, beats both Strickland and Du Plessis. While Whittaker isn’t sure if “Borz” can beat them in dominant fashion, he is sure the Chechen-born Swede can decision them like he did Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns — the only two times he went the distance in his career.

“I think he just takes them down and does the same thing like — not necessarily to me — but how he beat Usman,” Whittaker said. “Or how he beat [Gilbert] Burns… I think he would have more success with Strickland than du Plessis. Because Du Plessis is like a big dude... But ultimately, I don’t know, stopping that first takedown is so crazy. The way he shoots in that first shot is crazy. How do you stop that dude? Jump over him?”