The build-up to the UFC 305 clash between Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya has taken a life of its own. The friction between the two began when during the UFC 285 media day, ‘Stillknocks’ had proclaimed, “Did those belts ever go to Africa? As far as I know, they came to America and New Zealand. I’m going to take a belt to Africa… That’s an African champion, and that’s who I’ll be.”

This rubbed Adesanya the wrong way as he was a part of the ‘3 Kings’ era in the UFC when he, alongside Kamaru Usman and Francis Ngannou, were champions of their respective weight classes and proudly represented their African heritage. However, according to a Zimbabwean fighter in the UFC, Themba Gorimbo, the entire build-up to the fight has become “uncomfortable” due to the friction and “divide” it may cause between fighters from the continent!

Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya’s build-up to UFC 305 slammed by African UFC fighter

Themba Gorimbo revealed in 2023 that he had auctioned off his fight kit after UFC Vegas 73 to fund the building of a water well in his native village back home in Zimbabwe. As such, Gorimbo’s recent statement towards Dricus Du Plessis has drawn a lot of eyes to the situation between him and Adesanya. Gorimbo stated in an Instagram post shared by ‘The African Fighters’ account, “This topic is uncomfortable and so is the fight. Does nothing for Africa actually than divide. If the fight was going to be doing something for Africans, it would have taken place in Africa.”

Du Plessis, who hails from South Africa, has been vocal about his African roots in the lead-up to the fight. However, Gorimbo pointed out that Du Plessis himself had left Africa to train abroad, a common path for many African MMA athletes. “Leaving Africa to train abroad is a must for all African athletes in MMA,” Gorimbo said, referencing Du Plessis’s training stints in Florida at Kill Cliff and his initial move abroad before joining the UFC.

The Zimbabwean also urged African fighters to seek training opportunities overseas. ” My advice to any African out there in MMA (If you can leave the continent, and have an opportunity to go train overseas, please do because there is more opportunities for you there and rise)” he advised. This perspective is shaped by his own experiences and the challenges faced by athletes on the continent where MMA is still growing.

Du Plessis’s initial comments and the subsequent backlash underscore the complex dynamics of identity and representation in MMA. While Gorimbo’s statement provides an interesting perspective on the situation with calls for unity and growth instead of divisiveness and friction. But as ‘Stillknocks’ has been dealing with criticism from his countrymen, Israel Adesanya has found support from an unlikely source going into this heated clash against Dricus Du Plessis!

‘Poatan’ buries rivalry to support Adesanya’s “story”  

Alex Pereira may have faced off against Israel Adesanya more times than any other fighter in the UFC, but now, he has put aside their storied rivalry which spanned two combat sports to showcase his support for ‘The Last Stylebender’. In a video shared on his YouTube channel, ‘Poatan’ recently stated, “[People] asked me about Adesanya and du Plessis, I said I don’t see Adesanya losing… I hope he wins because he has a beautiful story. I think he has to continue his story.”

With a win over the South African middleweight champion, Adesanya will find himself back at the top of the 185 lbs. division and hold the distinction of being a 3-time UFC middleweight champion. As such, Pereira further went on to state, “I’m here, supporting him. I already fought him, I’m not going to say he should lose.”

Amidst the heated build-up with questions being raised about divisive narratives over heritage, Pereira’s unexpected support for Adesanya underscores the respect between rivals and the potential for unity within the sport. As the two middleweights prepare to throw down at UFC 305, it remains to be seen what kind of fire they will bring to the Octagon on fight night! Do you think Israel Adesanya has what it takes to reclaim his crown after an extended break from competition? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!