ROBERTO “Robocop” Soldic was the last fighter to beat UFC Middleweight World Champion Dricus du Plessis, and while he praised the South African MMA fighter for giving him fits, he believes his old foe hasn’t improve much since their last fight.
Aside from being the last fighter to beat Du Plessis, he’s also the only guy to knock the 31-year-old out. Soldic finished him in the third round of their rematch in 2018.
“I fought Dricus two times, the last time I beat him. From that fight he didn’t upgrade much, so he’s the same fighter. But I’m not surprised that he’s a UFC Champion because he gave me really tough fights,” Soldic said.
Soldic also disproved the notion of Du Plessis being unskilled, listing a couple of things that the South African does well judging by their previous two fights.
But in their rematch, Soldic had him read, and he made sure to finish Du Plessis the moment an opportunity opened.
“When we went to the third round, it was in deep waters, it was a tough fight for the both of us. He doesn’t give up. He looks unskilled, but he’s really skilled. He’s got straight punches, he’s got a good left high kick, he can take you down, he can submit you, he’s a full complete MMA fighter,” he said.
“But I read everything that he throws, I was patient, waited for the mistake, and I got him in the third round with the knee and the left punch. You know when I connect, the fight is over.”
But that’s all he’ll say about Du Plessis, especially with a tough fight coming up.
Soldic looks for his first win in ONE when he faces the dangerous Dagi Arslanaliev in a three-round welterweight MMA bout at ONE 171: Qatar this Thursday, February 20, inside Lusail Sports Arena in Doha.
“His last loss was from me, but now I’m with ONE Championship, and my focus is on my future [with this organization]. I [will] try to get MMA gold in ONE Championship,” he said.
“I don’t know if we’ll fight again, maybe in the future, but for now I’m focused on my fight this Thursday at ONE 171,” he added.
“You never know [if we’ll fight again], but I don’t think he’s upgraded his skills. He’s the same fighter. I think I can beat him again, but my main focus now is on Dagi.”
