“Did those belts ever go to Africa?”, these were the words of current middleweight champion, Dricus Du Plessis, who called out every other fighter who claimed themselves to be African. ‘Stillknocks’ made these statements when he was about to fight Israel Adesanya back at UFC 293.  The Hatfield, Pretoria, South Africa called out Israel Adesanya, Kamaru Usman, and even Francis Ngannou for being fake Africans due to the fact that they reside outside of their home continent.

The firebrand African was all out in his way to build the match but sadly it never materialized due to the fact that Du Plessis injured himself. A year has passed since then and ‘Stillknocks’ is the new champion and is about to defend his title against Adesanya at UFC 305, however, there’s a twist this time. What is it, you ask? Well, it seems like the champion is a bit humble this time. Why? let us have a look.

Dricus Du Plessis watered down the ‘Real African’ debate with Israel Adesanya

Dricus Du Plessis at that time claimed that the belts were going to America or New Zealand but not to Africa where they originally belonged. He called out Israel Adesanya for being a fake African. “Stillknocks’ emphasized that he is the real African fighter who actually represents the soil of his home continent, “I’m the African fighter in the UFC. Myself and Cameron (Saaiman), we breathe African air. We wake up in Africa every day. We train in Africa, we’re African born, we’re African raised, we still reside in Africa, we train out of Africa – that’s an African champion, and that’s who I’ll be,” said Du Plessis at the UFC 285 media day.

Israel Adesanya was left enraged by such a statement and the debate started to take fire but sadly the fight never materialized at that time due to Du Plessis’s injury but it’s about to happen now, however, this time there’s no hubbub about the African debate.  At the UFC 305 media day, ‘StillKnocks’ applauded Adesanya’s African heritage as well as appreciated his legacy. Interestingly, Du Plessis seems to be a bit humble after taking the middleweight belt from Sean Strickland at UFC 297

“This is my first time defending the title, and obviously the first time that two Africans are headlining the main event of the UFC. That’s history, and that’s amazing. You know, two African-born fighters main eventing a massive event—that in itself is a massive honor for me. And fighting one of the greatest middleweights ever, I don’t want to defend my title against anybody else,” said Du Plessis. 

Their clash would be Du Plessis’s first title defense, and it would mark the end of the debate over who is the better fighter. Regardless, let’s have a look at what ‘Stillknocks’ said that made Adesanya fuming.

Du Plessis’s rough take on ‘Stylebender’s ethnicity

Dricus Du Plessis has always been judgemental of Israel Adesanya’s ethnicity. The South African native has been attacking Adesanya for acting to represent Africa despite the fact that he lives in New Zealand. “I didn’t say they were not African. I didn’t say they were not African. I stated facts. I am the only one in title contention ever to be born in Africa, live in Africa, reside in Africa and train there every single day. That was my statement,” said Du Plessis on ‘SubmissionRadio’

The middleweight champ explained that Adesanya has been representing New Zealand, China, and Nigeria at the same time, and he needs to find out where he truly belongs. “It seems like he likes to be whatever fits him best, considering nationalities. He’s referred to himself as a Kiwi. He’s referred to himself as Chinese. He’s referred to himself as a Nigerian”

Regardless, their clash is going to happen at UFC Perth which is scheduled to happen on August 18th. Whats your take on their fight? Who do you think will win the clash? State your thoughts in the comments below.