Dricus Du Plessis‘s powerful performance at UFC 305 against Israel Adesanya was a real shocker for the combat sports community. Many people were expecting a victory for Israel Adesanya as he opened as the favorite at -115 against Du Plessis who was at -105. One thing that shocked MMA fans was the unorthodox fighting style that the middleweight champ showcased. One minute he looked as if he was completely gassed out and the next he threw a combination of jabs followed by a submission attempt to clinch his victory. This fighting style drew a parallel with Oleksandr Usyk as per Mike Tyson‘s former coach.

I͏sr͏ael A͏d͏esa͏nya ͏w͏͏a͏s com͏i͏ng of͏͏f ͏a͏ y͏ear-long͏ h͏͏iatu͏s͏ f͏ol͏͏lo͏wing͏ ͏his͏ ͏la͏st͏͏ def͏e͏at ͏again͏͏st͏ ͏S͏ean ͏Str͏ickland. On͏ ͏͏t͏͏͏he ͏͏͏͏oth͏er ͏h͏an͏d, Dricu͏s͏ Du P͏͏les͏sis c͏lai͏m͏ed the͏ ͏belt ͏b͏y͏ d͏efeating Str͏i͏͏ckland. The ͏b͏r͏eak͏ was͏͏ intende͏d to͏ he͏lp the forme͏r mid͏dl͏eweig͏ht ͏cham͏pion͏ r͏eturn to t͏he w͏i͏nn͏ing͏ ͏col͏u͏͏mn,͏ but͏͏ ͏th͏e opp͏osit͏e͏ o͏ccurred.Well, days after their initial matchup, Mike Tyson’s coach came forward to give his analysis on the fights and he believes that D͏͏͏u͏͏ ͏͏P͏͏lessis’s͏ fight͏͏ing s͏tyl͏e is ͏qu͏ite u͏niqu͏e ͏in th͏e MMA world͏.

Dricus Du Plessis’s fighting style broken down by Mike Tyson’s coach

͏”Dricus is so awkward and so unorthodox. He must be the toughest guy to train for. He fights like how a white guy dances. It’s so crazy and awkward but very effective,” said Dana White as he talked about UFC 305. ͏At on͏e͏ po͏int, you might witness a fiery͏ Du P͏lessis, and ͏at ͏another, you could see a ͏gassed-out fighter.͏ The UFC CEO even admitted that it’s difficult to gameplan for him due to this.

Well, he is not the only one who is astonished by the way Du Plessis fights. Mike Tyson’s ex-coach, Teddy Atlas also emphasized that Dricus Du Plessis is a unique talent just like the heavyweight boxing champion, Oleksandr Usyk. While having a conversation on ‘The Fight’, Atlas said, “He’s better than he looks. There’s nothing dynamic looking about what he does until he does it, until he gets the end result that it is. But up to then, it’s very deceiving and misleading. He is the perfect example of that old saying, “Never judge a book by its cover.” 

He further added, “He’s physically strong, we know that. He’s really big, he’s so physical, but he’s better in technical areas and subtle areas that meet the eye. He really is. And what he has is the same thing that Usyk has in boxing: an ability to win. A drive, determination—a lot of people have that—but he’s got that plus an uncanny way to do and know how to win.”

Dricus Du Plessis’s fighting style has been called out by Caio Borralho, who believes that the ‘StillKnocks’ style is inferior to him. Reagrdless, the South African fighter will be facing Sean Strickland again to defend his title. Well, Teddy Atlas not only broke down Du Plessis’s fighting style but also highlighted the reason why Israel Adesanya lost the bout.

Teddy Atlas explains the prime reason for Israel Adesanya’s defeat against ‘Stillknocks’

Israel Adesanya used everything except his kickboxing skills to fight against Dricus Du Plessis and this cost him the entire match. Well, Teddy Atlas believes the prime reason why Adesanya was ousted by Du Plessis was because of the fact that he was using a pretty direct approach to fight Du Plessis. Teddy Atlast emphasized that Adesanya had some amazing footwork and reflexes for his age but as the wheel of time is rotating constantly, ‘Izzy’ should consider looking into improving his overall reflexes.

The legendary boxing coach further explained that at that stage of his career, making a simple technical error like moving straight to the opponent could be costly and severely his chances of winning. “What got him there? A strike got him there. What got him where he could land the strike was a habit by Izzy who is a great athlete who’s one of the greatest middleweights UFC of all time but has a habit of going back straight. Izzy was going back straight early rounds getting away with it. But I am sure that Du Plessis took note. I am sure his corner took note,” said Atlas.

Further, Adesanya also seems to have had in injury of sorts. In a recent video, his archrival Alex Pereira mentioned how Adesanya did not use his patented inside low kicks against Du Plessis. ‘Poatan’ suspected an injury and Adesanya was quick to acknowledge his rival’s keen eye and his understanding of ‘Stylebender.’ “It’s weird how this guy knows me…it’s like we’ve spent hours studying eachother’s moves and fought multiple times or sumn’. I mean that,” the former champ responded.

Israel Adesanya has emphasized that he will not be retiring from the Octagon after the last few setbacks. Regardless, What’s your take on Teddy Atlas’s statements about Israel Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis? State your thoughts in the comments below.