MMA Preview – Markus Perez vs Dricus Du Plessis at UFC Fight Island 5
MARKUS PEREZ VS DRICUS DU PLESSIS FACTS
When is UFC Fight Island 5? Saturday 10th October, 2020 - 23:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Island 5? Flash Forum, Fight Island, Abu Dhabi (UAE)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Island 5? No tickets are available as this event will take place without spectators
What channel is UFC Fight Island 5 on? BT Sport 2
Where can I stream UFC Fight Island 5? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
MARKUS PEREZ VS DRICUS DU PLESSIS LOWDOWN
After arriving to the UFC unbeaten and fresh off a submission over Ian Heinisch for LFA, Markus Perez has gone on to lose one, win one in all his UFC fights so far taking his record to 12-3. Both his wins were submissions over James Bochnovic and Anthony Hernandez and all his losses were unanimous decisions to Eryk Anders, Andrew Sanchez and then Wellington Turman in his last fight back in November last year.
Dricus Du Plessis makes his long-awaited UFC debut filling in for Rodolfo Vieira and sits proudly on a record of 14-2. He is the former EFC and KSW middleweight champion with his only losses being title fights. He has cleaned up on the African (EFC) and Polish (KSW) scene finishing all of his wins (five knockouts and nine submissions) and he would love nothing more to start his UFC career with another.
MARKUS PEREZ VS DRICUS DU PLESSIS PREDICTION
The South African has never been involved in a decision and if he wants to continue that trend with a win, he will have to hand Perez the first knockout or submission of his career.
Even though Du Plessis is only 26 years old, he has amassed a lot of experience and had his first title fight at just 20 years old. Despite the losses, Perez’ UFC experience will be priceless and this is set up to be a great fight.
Du Plessis has all the tools, started out with judo at just five-years old and then kickboxing 10 years later. He is a weapon with phenomenal jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai added to his repertoire and he will no doubt look for the finish against Perez.
Perez’s confidence will be crucial as if he allows Du Plessis to conduct the pace, it will be a long night. He has to be aggressive and keep the fight standing to unleash his own Muay Thai. If the fight goes to the floor, it will be a competitive scramble.
Wherever this goes, it should be a spectacle, but the damage will be done on the feet first and if Du Plessis can put that three-inch reach advantage to use, he could walk away with a dream debut.
Prediction: Du Plessis via KO/TKO
