Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker continued his quest to try and get a third title fight against champion Israel Adesanya when he faced Dricus du Plessis on the UFC 290 main card in a title eliminator bout. Du Plessis was the visibly larger fighter. Whittaker circled on the outside landing leg kicks. Whittaker looked to counter strike before changing levels and taking du Plessis down. Du Plessis used the fence to get to his feet and went on the offense.