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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Farah Hannoun

Darren Till advises Israel Adesanya how to capitalize vs. Dricus Du Plessis: ‘Only the elite strikers get it’

Darren Till has given Israel Adesanya some advice ahead of his UFC middleweight title fight against Dricus Du Plessis.

Till’s most recent UFC fight came against Du Plessis in December 2022. After rallying to win Round 2, Till lost a Fight of the Night battle against Du Plessis by third-round submission. Du Plessis went on to stop Derek Brunson and Robert Whittaker before beating then-champ Sean Strickland this past January to claim the title.

Adesanya (24-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) challenges Du Plessis (21-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) for the middleweight title in Saturday’s UFC 305 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) main event at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. Till gave Adesanya some tips on how to handle Du Plessis’ forward pressure.

“Got some advice for Izzy on how to fight DDP on Saturday. Lots of feints. …He reacts to them so much and throws from the hills. Then you can step back. Have a look and either for for the punch combo or knee maybe a kick. You’re a high-level striker so you know what am on about. Everyone on here won’t have a clue but they will try to understand it. Only the elite strikers get it. As he rushes in also do what you did against Rob and I did the same.

“Yours knocked Rob out as where as mine didn’t but still same same. DDP will rush in. Instead of standing back or going back like most of these silly stupid strikers do. Stand your ground and just hit him with either again the punch combo or even a knee up the middle. I personally love the elbow as they are lunging in but it’s whatever suits at that time and whatever you have practiced. Hope this advice goes well with you IZZY.”

Till asked for his UFC release after suffering losing to Du Plessis, his third straight defeat in the UFC. However, the former welterweight title challenger intends on returning to the octagon. He put a fan on blast for suggesting that the UFC doesn’t want him back.

“Oh have you spoke to Dana? Sh*t my bad. The conversation me and him had a few months ago about me returning must of been a lie. Sorry mate. Forgot you knew that they won’t sign me again. Just tell me one thing though. How f*cking stupid do you feel right now knowing you are a dumb motherf*cker saying things without substance?”

Till competed for the first time since losing to Du Plessis when he boxed Mohammad Mutie at Social Knockout 3 in July. Their bout came to an end after Till struck Mutie to the back of the head. Mutie fell to the canvas, prompting the referee and doctor to deem him unable to continue. Till was announced the winner by TKO, and a brawl ensued after the fight.

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