In the world of mixed martial arts, anything can happen inside the octagon. Fights are won and lost based on a combination of skill, strategy, and sometimes even a bit of luck. One fighter who has been making waves in the Middleweight division is Dricus Du Plessis. With an impressive victory over Darren Till, Du Plessis has shown that he has the potential to compete with some of the best fighters in the world. But could he actually beat someone like Conor McGregor? Let's take a look at the chain of events that could lead to Dricus Du Plessis pulling off an unlikely victory over the notorious Irishman, based on historical data.
Dricus Du Plessis faced off against Darren Till at UFC 282 - Blachowicz vs. Ankalaev in the Middleweight division. In a stunning display of skill and determination, Du Plessis managed to submit Till with a face crank at 2:43 in round 3. This victory showcased Du Plessis' grappling prowess and his ability to capitalize on his opponent's weaknesses. It was a defining moment in Du Plessis' career and solidified his standing in the Middleweight division.
Darren Till, on the other hand, holds a victory over Donald Cerrone. In their fight at UFC Fight Night 118 - Cerrone vs. Till in the Welterweight division, Till secured a TKO victory over Cerrone with a series of devastating punches at 4:20 in round 1. This win propelled Till into the spotlight and marked him as a rising star in the Welterweight division.
Donald Cerrone, a veteran of the sport, holds a victory over Charles Oliveira. At UFC Live 5 - Hardy vs. Lytle, Cerrone defeated Oliveira with a TKO victory via punches at 3:01 in round 1. Cerrone's striking ability and experience proved to be too much for Oliveira to handle in that fight.
Charles Oliveira, the current Lightweight champion, holds a victory over Dustin Poirier. In their title fight at UFC 269 - Oliveira vs. Poirier, Oliveira secured a submission victory over Poirier with a rear-naked choke at 1:02 in round 3. This win solidified Oliveira's reign as the Lightweight champion and showcased his elite grappling skills.
Dustin Poirier, a fan favorite, holds a victory over none other than Conor McGregor. In their highly anticipated trilogy fight at UFC 264 - Poirier vs. McGregor 3, Poirier secured a TKO victory over McGregor due to a leg injury at the end of round 1. This victory marked Poirier's second win over McGregor and solidified his status as one of the top contenders in the Lightweight division.
Now, let's piece together how Dricus Du Plessis could potentially defeat Conor McGregor based on the chain of events outlined above. Du Plessis demonstrated his grappling skills in his victory over Darren Till, showcasing his ability to capitalize on his opponent's weaknesses on the ground. If Du Plessis were to face McGregor, he could look to exploit McGregor's vulnerabilities in grappling exchanges, much like Oliveira did in his victory over Poirier.
Additionally, Du Plessis' striking has also shown improvement in recent fights, making him a versatile threat inside the octagon. If Du Plessis can keep McGregor guessing with a mix of striking and grappling, he could potentially throw off McGregor's rhythm and find openings to capitalize on.
Furthermore, McGregor's loss to Poirier at UFC 264 exposed some weaknesses in his game, particularly in the grappling department. If Du Plessis can study that fight and implement a similar game plan, he may be able to exploit those same weaknesses and secure a victory over the former two-division champion.
In conclusion, while a victory over Conor McGregor would undoubtedly be a tall order for Dricus Du Plessis, based on the historical data and chain of events outlined above, it is not entirely out of the realm of possibility. Du Plessis has the skill, determination, and mindset to potentially pull off an upset victory over McGregor if given the opportunity. As we've seen time and time again in the world of mixed martial arts, anything can happen on fight night. Who knows, we may just witness the rise of Dricus Du Plessis as he takes on one of the biggest stars in the sport and shocks the world with a victory for the ages.