“He had a shot,” Israel Adesanya coach calls out Dricus Du Plessis for not taking title shot seriously

UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya's coach talks about Dricus Du Plessis' missed opportunity for title shot at UFC 293.

“He had a shot,” Israel Adesanya coach calls out Dricus Du Plessis for not taking title shot seriously

Israel Adesanya's coach talks about Israel Adesanya vs Dricus Du Plessis ( Image source: L/R - Getty Images)

Eugene Bareman, the coach of Israel Adesanya, recently shared his thoughts during an interview with Submission Radio. He expressed concern about Dricus Du Plessis not fully valuing the opportunity of a title shot. Bareman stressed the severe consequences that can arise when fighters fail to seize the moment.

Originally slated to go head-to-head with UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, Dricus Du Plessis, unfortunately, withdrew from the upcoming title fight due to an undisclosed injury. This unexpected turn of events left the anticipation of their clash suspended. Instead, Sean Strickland will step in to replace Du Plessis in the Sydney showdown at UFC 293.

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One of the key points emphasized by Bareman was the ever-changing nature of the fight world. “The problem is if you don’t step up and take fights, you go into the pool. That’s a fact”. He noted that until contracts are officially signed, nothing can be considered a certainty. “Nothing in this sport is solid until there’s something signed on the dotted line. If he’s got nothing signed on the dotted line, then he’s out there in the ether”. Bareman explained that fighters must actively step up and embrace challenges, as hesitating can lead to a situation of uncertainty.

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Bareman’s words serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the sport and the potential pitfalls of complacency. He urged fighters not to underestimate the complexity of the UFC‘s operations and cautioned against assuming that opportunities will always remain open. “He had a shot. It’s the same shot that many of my boys have had who have fought for titles or have titles…You’ve taken your shot for granted,” he said about Du Plessis.

Related: “Going to start WW3” – Fans brace themselves for all-time press conference showdown as Israel Adesanya vs. Sean Strickland gets announced for UFC 293

Israel Adesanya versus Sean Strickland for UFC 293

Sean Strickland Israel Adesanya
UFC finalised Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya for UFC 293 main event ( Inage source: L/R – Getty Images)

Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland will headline the Middleweight main event of UFC 293 in Sydney, Australia. This electrifying clash is set to take place at Sydney, Australia’s Qudos Bank Arena, a decision made public by the UFC itself.

Adesanya took an active stance in advocating for a showdown with Strickland at UFC 293. The 34-year-old Israel Adesanya secured his middleweight title once more by delivering a dominant second-round knockout of Alex Pereira in April. With a professional record of 24 wins and 2 losses, Adesanya is geared up for his first title defense since he became the Middleweight Champion for a second time.

Conversely, Sean Strickland, the 32-year-old controversial contender has turned the tables and secured himself a title shot. He managed to clinch victory in two successive bouts, effectively recovering from his former defeats against Alex Pereira and Jared Cannonier. With a professional record of 27 wins and 5 losses, Strickland is ready to put on an exciting performance against the Middleweight Champion.

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