'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Dricus du Plessis has emerged as a dominant force in the UFC middleweight division. He reigns as its current champion and is gearing up to defend his belt for the third consecutive time against the unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319. The bout will make or break du Plessis' legacy.
A win would further enhance his standing in the division and bring him closer to the likes of Anderson Silva and Israel Adesanya. It begs the question, though. Can he ever surpass them, or are they too far ahead?
Dricus du Plessis' legacy: An analysis
There isn't too much distance between Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya, especially when the South African's UFC 305 win over 'The Last Stylebender' is taken into account. Du Plessis is undefeated in the UFC, and he has overcome numerous high-level opponents.
Trending
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
He defeated Brad Tavares, a longtime middleweight litmus test that several future champions, including Adesanya, had to go through. He also defeated ex-welterweight title challenger Darren Till, top middleweight Derek Brunson, and ex-middleweight champions Robert Whittaker and Sean Strickland (2x).
Check out Dricus du Plessis submitting Israel Adesanya:
There is, of course, his win over Adesanya, another ex-middleweight champion and an all-time great. He also has two successful title defenses. Adesanya, by comparison, has also beaten Tavares, Brunson, and Whittaker (2x), in addition to ex-middleweight title challengers Yoel Romero and Paulo Costa.
There's also the great Anderson Silva himself, former heavyweight Jared Cannonier, Marvin Vettori (2x), and former two-division UFC champion Alex Pereira. 'The Last Stylebender' also has more title defenses, with five. There is a path for du Plessis to surpass him, but it's a difficult one.
Check out Israel Adesanya knocking out Alex Pereira:
The South African star will have to defeat Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319, which would greatly elevate his legacy. Being undefeated in the division also benefits him. However, he will have to rack up at least three more title defenses to be regarded as greater than Adesanya.
As far as Silva is concerned, it's a near-impossible challenge. The Brazilian's 13-fight win streak in the middleweight division is slightly longer than du Plessis' 9-fight run, but Silva has also beaten a legendary list of middleweights in Dan Henderson, Rich Franklin, and Vitor Belfort.
Check out Anderson Silva knocking out Vitor Belfort:
He also has 10 title defenses. It's a tall order for du Plessis, and he is unlikely to defend his belt that many times. While he could overcome Adesanya, Silva was once widely regarded as the greatest fighter of all time, regardless of division, for a reason.
