Despite the ongoing jeopardy surrounding an initially planned middleweight title fight between Israel Adesanya and number one contender, Dricus du Plessis at UFC 293 in September, the undisputed champion remains a distinct betting favorite to defeat the latter in a heated grudge match between the duo.
Adesanya, the current and two-time middleweight champion, has been sidelined since reclaiming the undisputed middleweight crown at UFC 287 back in April in Miami, Florida, landing a second round knockout win over Brazilian rival, Alex Pereira in the pair’s championship rematch.
As for du Plessis, the South African contender turned in the most high-profile victory of his Octagon tenure to date at UFC 290 earlier this month during International Fight Week, defeating former champion and common-foe, Robert Whittaker, stopping the ex-titleholder with a second round TKO win.