"If it is true, you can't be there!" - UFC legend criticizes Dricus du Plessis for attending UFC 300 after declining opportunity to headline it

Dricus du Plessis has earned the ire of UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen. 'The American Gangster' took issue with the middleweight champion's cage-side appearance at UFC 300, specifically because he reportedly declined to headline the event in a title bout with hated rival, Israel Adesanya.

In a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Sonnen disparaged the South African titleholder, even going as far as to question his heart as a fighter. Sonnen especially outlined his belief that du Plessis should not have been present for UFC 300 after turning down the opportunity to headline it.

"Adesanya and du Plessis were offered the main event. One of them said no. Based on interviews, it sounds like that was du Plessis. It's his career and he's done a damn good job with it. But if you can't fight cause you're sick or hurt, don't come. It was the strangest thing in the world, and I couldn't believe the commentators didn't call this out. If it is true, you can't be there!"

Sonnen continued to lambast du Plessis for what he perceives as an admission of weakness on the South African's part.

"You justed out the fact that you made it up. That really is how I feel about it. You're gonna turn the fight down and then what? 'Hey Dana, can I get a ticket to the fight?' What? I couldn't even imagine. The sport is plagued with fake tough guys."

Check out Chael Sonnen taking aim at Dricus du Plessis (6:21 and 8:25):

Both Adesanya and du Plessis, who were cage-side at UFC 300, are still expected to clash at a later date this year.

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Israel Adesanya has previously expressed similar opinions about Dricus du Plessis

Unfortunately for Dricus du Plessis, Chael Sonnen isn't the only MMA figure who has questioned his toughness as a fighter. When Israel Adesanya was still the middleweight champion, he took issue with the South African turning down a quick turnaround after the latter sustained minor injuries against Robert Whittaker.

This led to du Plessis losing his title shot against Adesanya, who went on to face Sean Strickland. However, 'The Last Stylebender' lost the belt. Afterward, the South African star captured the belt, but again refused a quick turnaround from his UFC 297 triumph, citing damage sustained from his war with Strickland.

This, once again, drew Adesanya's criticism, even though the former champion has himself, just returned from a brief hiatus to tend to his injuries.