Du Plessis vows to beat 'gatekeeper' Whittaker early

No. 5 UFC middleweights Drycus Du Plessis shared his expectations from the upcoming fight with the former division champion Robert Whittaker, which will take place on the night of July 9 at UFC 290 in Las Vegas.

“Robert is a gatekeeper who doesn’t let anyone through. Therefore, it is interesting that I was brought together with him. The UFC thinks I can be a star. If I beat Whittaker, I'll be the only one who managed to do this, not counting the champion. It is with this attitude that I will enter the duel - I am going to prove that the promotion is right.

This is a great fight for me as I love to cut. I love to put on spectacular fights, and the same can be said about Robert. I am fully confident that our battle will not reach the third round. I plan to finish Robert Whittaker, and I will do it, ”quotes the South African BJ Penn.