‘Don’t lie’… Fans question Dricus du Plessis’ pick for the best opponent he’s faced ahead of UFC 319

The UFC’s middleweight champion has been involved in some back and forth bouts during his incredible rise.

While Dricus du Plessis remains undefeated inside the Octagon with nine consecutive wins, he’s certainly been tested along the way.

Du Plessis is deep into his preparations for UFC 319, where many believe that he will face his most difficult challenge since winning the 185-pound title.

Khamzat Chimaev’s team believe that he has made some crucial adjustments that will allow him to leave Chicago with the middleweight gold on August 16.

Ahead of one of the year’s biggest title fights, the defending champion shared his thoughts on who his best and toughest opponents have been thus far.

LATEST NEWS: Dricus du Plessis predicted for future heavyweight move by former contender ahead of UFC 319 return

Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty ImagesDricus du Plessis names Israel Adesanya as the best opponent he’s foughtDricus du Plessis recently shared his thoughts on who his best opponent has been when previewing his return at UFC 319 in social media clips posted by Betway.

Many of his best wins weren’t one-sided results, but as he has always done inside the Octagon, the South African found a way to get across the line.

At UFC 305, many felt like Israel Adesanya was in the ascendancy and on his way to reclaiming the middleweight title in a spectacular return.

Unfortunately for ‘The Last Stylebender’, his opponent capitalized on a mistake and produced a submission finish in the fourth round, with du Plessis crediting Adesanya as his best opponent.

“My toughest opponent to date, well that’s a very open-ended question because there were fights that were the hardest for me,” Du Plessis said. “I have to say probably Adesanya was the best guy I faced in his specific area. [It was] probably the fight I was most nervous for, just in terms of how good he is.

“He can catch you with anything, anytime. All the time I spent looking up to him and studying him, because he was the benchmark. Knowing what he’s capable of, I think he’s the best guy I’ve faced and obviously if you watch that fight, it was one hell of a fight. It was a tough night at the office for both of us.”

Fans reacted to du Plessis’ comments via the clip being posted on social media, weighing in with their thoughts on his pick.

‘Hey Dricus, brother you are great but at least don’t lie. Adesanya? Really? That’s the least dangerous middleweight on the roster right now.’

‘Lost first fight to Sean [Strickland] and couldn’t finish him while he was weak with staph during the second fight, also broke his leg on Sean… but ok.’

‘Wait until he faces the hurricane from Khamzat [Chimaev]. Dude won’t know what hit him.’

‘So it means Sean Strickland is very easy for him?’

‘That’s the mark of a true champion – acknowledging your toughest opponent’s skills while still finding a way to beat them.’

‘And Adesanya said Khamzat was his easiest fight, Khamzat will be tapping in the first round.’

LATEST NEWS: Sean O’Malley is backing Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 after seeing Israel Adesanya ‘dominate’ Dricus du PlessisDricus Du Plessis names Israel Adesanya as the best opponent he’s ever faced 🔥👏

“I have to say Adesanya was the best guy I faced. Probably the fight I was most nervous for. He can catch you with anything, anytime. All the time I spent looking up to him and studying him,… pic.twitter.com/or2igHImyC

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) August 5, 2025 View Tweet

Dricus du Plessis did address Sean Strickland in the same video clipWhile many of the reactions to this post named Sean Strickland as a counterpoint to Dricus du Plessis’ comments following their close first encounter at UFC 297, he did address this.

Having already stated that it was an open-ended question, the champion explained at the end of the video that while Israel Adesanya was the best opponent he has faced, he has also come up against tougher opposition.

“But then, when you just go on pure toughness, you have to go with either Brad Tavares or Sean Strickland. Just the amount of damage they were able to take and just keep going.”

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLCOne fan pointed this out in the reactions, attempting to explain that du Plessis covered both bases.

‘English is difficult for some folks. Dricus said Adesanya was his best opponent because of the tools Izzy presents and the caliber of opponent he is, while Strickland was his toughest because he wasn’t easy to take out. Strickland and Tavares were Dricus’ toughest challenges.