In the world of mixed martial arts, upsets are not uncommon. Fighters who may seem like underdogs on paper can surprise everyone with a stunning performance that leads to victory. One such hypothetical scenario that has been gaining traction among MMA fans is the idea of Dricus Du Plessis beating Demetrious Johnson. While Demetrious Johnson is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters of all time, a closer look at the fighters' histories could suggest that Dricus Du Plessis might have what it takes to come out on top in a matchup against the former UFC Flyweight Champion.
Dricus Du Plessis made a huge statement in his fight against Darren Till at UFC 282 - Blachowicz vs. Ankalaev. Du Plessis managed to secure a submission victory over Till with a face crank at 2:43 in round 3 in the Middleweight division. This win showcased Du Plessis's skills and his ability to capitalize on his opponent's weaknesses. Darren Till, in turn, had previously defeated Donald Cerrone at UFC Fight Night 118 - Cerrone vs. Till with a TKO victory at 4:20 in round 1 in the Welterweight division. This victory highlighted Till's striking prowess and his ability to finish fights decisively.
Donald Cerrone, before his loss to Till, had secured a victory over Jeremy Stephens at UFC on Fuel TV 3 - Korean Zombie vs. Poirier. Cerrone won the fight by a unanimous decision after going the distance with Stephens in the Lightweight division. Jeremy Stephens had previously defeated Renan Barao at UFC Fight Night 88 - Almeida vs. Garbrandt in the Featherweight division. Stephens showcased his resilience and skill in that fight, earning a unanimous decision victory over the former bantamweight champion. Renan Barao, before his loss to Stephens, had secured a submission victory over Brad Pickett at UFC 138 - Leben vs. Munoz with a rear-naked choke at 4:09 in round 1.
Brad Pickett's victory over Demetrious Johnson at WEC 48 - Aldo vs. Faber serves as a crucial piece of the puzzle in this hypothetical scenario. Pickett managed to defeat Johnson by a unanimous decision after three hard-fought rounds. This surprising result is what fuels the speculation that Dricus Du Plessis could potentially beat Demetrious Johnson in a matchup.
Looking at this chain of victories and defeats, it becomes apparent that each fighter has the ability to exploit their opponent's weaknesses and capitalize on openings during the fight. While Demetrious Johnson is undoubtedly a formidable opponent with exceptional skills in various aspects of MMA, including his elite grappling and striking abilities, the historical data suggests that there is a path to victory for Dricus Du Plessis.
Du Plessis has shown his proficiency in securing submissions, as evidenced by his win over Darren Till. If he can take advantage of any grappling exchanges with Johnson and potentially threaten him with submission attempts, he might find success where others have fallen short. Additionally, Du Plessis's resilience and ability to weather the storm, as seen in his fight against Till, could serve him well against Johnson's relentless pace and pressure.
Furthermore, Du Plessis's striking abilities cannot be overlooked. If he can keep the fight standing and land significant strikes on Johnson, he might be able to sway the judges in his favor or even secure a knockout victory. Johnson, while known for his technical striking and elusive footwork, has shown vulnerability to powerful strikers in the past.
In conclusion, while the idea of Dricus Du Plessis beating Demetrious Johnson may seem far-fetched to some, a closer analysis of their respective fight histories reveals that it is not an entirely implausible scenario. MMA is a sport where anything can happen, and upsets are part of its allure. If Du Plessis can implement a sound game plan, capitalize on his strengths, and exploit Johnson's weaknesses, he just might pull off the upset of a lifetime. Only time will tell if this hypothetical matchup will ever come to fruition, but one thing is certain: in the world of MMA, anything is possible.