Dricus du Plessis has solidified his place in the UFC as a dominant force, recently defending his UFC Middleweight World Title against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305. But amidst the celebrations, there's a shadow from his past that lingers—Roberto Soldic, the last man to defeat him.
Their rivalry began in April 2018 when du Plessis, a rising star, faced Soldic for the KSW Welterweight Title in Poland. Du Plessis triumphed with a second-round TKO, snatching the belt and making a name for himself. However, his victory was short-lived. Six months later, in London, Soldic roared back with a devastating third-round knockout, reclaiming his title and leaving du Plessis with unfinished business.
Roberto Soldic isn’t just another name in the MMA world; he's a powerhouse. Known for his brutal knockouts and raw power, Soldic became a two-division champion in KSW, Europe’s premier MMA promotion. His ability to dominate in two weight classes made him one of the most sought-after fighters globally. It was no surprise when ONE Championship secured his signature, but transitioning to a new league proved challenging.
In ONE Championship, Soldic faced setbacks. His debut ended in a no contest, and he suffered a TKO loss to former ONE Welterweight Champion Zebaztian Kadestam. Despite these challenges, Soldic remains a formidable presence, one win away from potentially challenging Christian Lee, the current ONE Welterweight World Champion.
The question that lingers is whether we will ever see Soldic and du Plessis clash again. With Soldic’s potential rise in ONE Championship and du Plessis’ reign in the UFC, a super-fight between these old rivals could be a dream match for MMA fans worldwide. As du Plessis continues his UFC journey, he can’t escape the legacy of Roberto Soldic—the man who proved that even the mightiest could fall.
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