Du Plessis destroys Whittaker to earn a title shot against Adesanya

Dricus Du Plessis earned a world title shot against Israel Adesanya with an astounding second-round stoppage of Robert Whittaker at UFC 290 in Las Vegas.

The South African demonstrated his credentials for a championship by convincingly defeating the former champion.

Du Plessis finished the show in the second round after a dramatic first-round finish in which he pounded the Australian with some ground and pound.

Whittaker was briefly knocked out with a right hand from Du Plessis before he unleashed on The Reaper as he backed up against the cage, dropping him once again with a body punch and forcing the stoppage with his hands.

Israel Adesanya, the middleweight champion, entered the cage following the contest, and they engaged in a combative exchange before firing some trash talk.