Dricus du Plessis rocked the middleweight division with a thunderous TKO victory over Robert Whittaker at UFC 290, making a bold statement. ‘Stillknocks’ unleashed a devastating punch in the second round that left Whittaker frozen and sealed the deal with a TKO finish. During his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, du Plessis showered praise on ‘The Reaper’ and expressed his exhilaration at stepping into the cage with a living legend. However, his clash with the reigning UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya post the fight really ticked the cap off for the intensity to escalate.
The tensions between du Plessis and Adesanya reached a boiling point fueled by du Plessis’ assertion of being the ‘African fighter’ in the UFC, highlighting his South African heritage. Adesanya didn’t let that pass and being evidently offended, he arguing that it undermines other African-born champions like himself, Francis Ngannou, and Kamaru Usman.
Will Israel Adesanya fight with Dricus du Plessis at UFC 293, Sydney?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
du Plessis’ dominant performance thrust him into the spotlight as the leading contender for the UFC middleweight title, currently held by Israel Adesanya. ‘Stillknocks’ triumph over Whittaker paved the way for a bitter showdown with Adesanya at UFC 293 in Sydney, set to take place in September. The clash between these two rivals promises to be an explosive encounter, driven by the deep-seated animosity between them. The Hatfield native’s victory solidified his opportunity to vie for the illustrious UFC middleweight gold, setting the stage for a highly anticipated and eagerly awaited clash with Adesanya.
What did Israel Adesanya say to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 290?
The du Plessis vs. Whittaker bout served as a title eliminator, determining the next challenger for Adesanya. The tensions between the 29-year-old fighter and Adesanya escalated due to their contrasting African backgrounds. Du Plessis, hailing from South Africa, claimed to be the true African fighter, while Adesanya, born in Nigeria and residing in New Zealand, took offense to this statement.
After Du Plessis emerged victorious, Adesanya entered the cage for a faceoff with his next opponent. The atmosphere turned intense as Adesanya directed some constant racially-charged remarks, the N-word, at Du Plessis, mocking his claim of being the true African between the two fighters.
Their heated exchange foreshadowed the animosity that would fuel their upcoming title fight, scheduled for UFC 293 in Sydney. The clash between Du Plessis and Adesanya promises to be a bitter rivalry.
The stage is set for a highly anticipated showdown. Du Plessis will aim to bring the middleweight title to Africa, challenging Adesanya’s claim as the top African fighter in the UFC. The intense buildup leading to the fight suggests that their encounter will be one for the books, capturing the attention of fight fans worldwide.
Dricus du Plessis Reveals Why He Turned Down Immediate Israel Adesanya Title Shot In Favor Of Robert Whittaker Fight At UFC 290
‘Stillknocks’ amazing victory at UFC 290 has now put du Plessis vs. Adesanya on the line for real. But if the African fighter wanted, the battle may have taken place much sooner. Speaking with the UFC hall of famer Michael Bisping, the African fighter spilled the beans on what transpired.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Dricus du Plessis stated, “He’s[Israel Adesanya] faced everybody. This fight could have happened…We could have had that fight, I know that for a fact. He wanted this fight. I obviously wanted the fight. But I am a martial artist and I am a warrior. And when the [Robert]Whittaker fight came as a, ‘Listen, are you interested in this?’ It wasn’t even a minute discussion. It was, ‘Oh yeah. Cool.'”
He continued, “Because, at the end of the day, I’m a fighter and I fight. And, with Adesanya, whether I fight him now, whether I fight him later, whether I fight Whittaker before I win that belt or after I win that belt, to me, it’s all the same. I wanna be the best in the world. Not by taking this fight or ducking this fight, or maybe say, ‘Eh, that’s a harder route.’ That’s not how legends and champions are made. They’re made by taking whatever comes and fighting. And that’s what this fight is.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The dust will settle off at UFC 293. With such intense animosity between the two fighters, the fight fans will be on the edge of their seats when the day comes.
Watch this story: Israel Adesanya and Jon Jones Cross Paths and Get Into a Friendly Tussle
