POLL: How do you feel about the DDP/Strickland switch up?

[IDGETKTFO]

Don't care. Neither deserve it more then the other. Just like Jones fights, i just want to see him lose, don't care who beats him.

 

[empsim]

DDP looked great against Whittaker and would be an interesting match-up for Izzy with his weird style.

Strickland looks like a freebie for Izzy.

 

[Crash Lance]

For some reason, my instincts tell me that a huge amount of the assassins in the Middleweight Division will become (or already are) the 2023 iteration of Rich Franklin.

Even though Franklin is a legendary assassin, he was forced to move to the Light Heavyweight Division because he was never going to capture more titles in the Middleweight Division. Anderson Silva was still around (at the time).

1. Dricus du Plessis. I guess that all of the Dricus du Plessis fans on Sherdog will murder me if I call him Rich Franklin. Dricus is an elite assassin. In theory, he could definitely eliminate Adesanya. However, he would have to connect on The Diamond Cutter. I don't see many ways that he can connect on The Diamond Cutter against Adesanya.

2. Robert Whittaker. Adesanya is 2-0 against Whittaker. At this point, it should be obvious that Robert is one of the Rich Franklins in the Middleweight Division. Furthermore, Whittaker is currently riding a 1-fight LOSING streak.

3. Sean Strickland. In my opinion, Sean is another one of the Rich Franklins in the Middleweight Division. Unless I'm mistaken, Strickland still considers himself to be an Elite Level Striker in MMA. Did that work out for him in those MMA fights against Alex Pereira and Jared Cannonier? To be fair, Sean is currently riding a 2-fight winning streak.

4. Jared Cannonier. Adesanya is 1-0 against Jared. Until I see Jared do insane things, I'm forced to call him another one of the Rich Franklins in the Middleweight Division. To be fair, Cannonier is currently riding a 2-fight winning streak.

Rich Franklin is the former UFC Middleweight World Champion (with 2 title defences). Also, he's one of the reasons that Sherdog users started calling it The Franklinweight Division.

 

[tritestill]

Feels like we'll get Khamzat vs Izzy, as UFC will probably use the "It was offered and he declined" thing they did with Machida years back.

 

[tritestill]

Strickland would beat DDP so this fight makes more sense. Strickland in many ways is a better version of Adesanya.

Would take DDP in that fight

 

[tritestill]

I'd much rather have du Plessis but if he can't make the date then Strickland is the next best option and we need more times when the show goes on and the champ stays active. Du Plessis should get the winner.

Pretty sure he'll get skipped for Khamzat, unless IZZY hard presses DDP is next

 

[Guy LeDouche]

I’m bummed about it, but I think this is honestly the best case scenario.
Izzy gets to fight in Australia knowing he wants to be on, Strickland gets a titleshot at the guy he’s been jawing at and Dricus gets some time to recover and not cut weight twice in two months.

And we as fans win because we get two fun fights out of this hopefully.

 

[Quietus]

Lame move by Izzy to duck the real threat, after trying to advantageously force him into a fast turnaround. It’s this new thing ufc does where they try to rig the game against the big stars opponent as much as they can. Make them fight injured and short notice at 60-70% while the star has been resting and preparing to go at 100%. They did the same thing to Aljo with O’Malley.

 

[cheesus]

Would prefer DDP but I'm happy to see Strickland get an opportunity, he's a marketable fighter. They should just let DDP get the next shot. Can someone fill me in with DDP is no longer fighting?

 

[Local Plata]

It's a joke.

 

[balkanbomber85]

Pissed but also proud of Izzy, dude doesn't take a break, he is a shining example how a real Champ should be!

 

[MMAcolyte]

Disappointed we're not getting the Dricus fight, but it was way too soon after DDP's last fight. I'd be more pissed if they were going to put one guy at a disadvantage by making him turn around so fast.

I wish they would just have Israel fight later.

 

[Bowel-forged Stool]

Strickland as champ going into an election year could be the greatest thing ever

 

[fortheo]

I feel like it was expected. I never expected neither whittaker nor du plessis to turn around on 8 weeks notice.