“He Knew About Me, Too”: Resurfaced Video Shows Once Homeless African Fighter Who Caught Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s Attention Weighing In on the Israel Adesanya-Dricus Du Plessis’s “Real African” Debate

Dricus du Plessis made headlines by criticizing Israel Adesanya and former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. ‘Stillknocks’ claimed that he would be the first authentic African UFC champion because he trains and fights on the African continent, unlike Adesanya and Usman, who were born in Nigeria but grew up in New Zealand and the United States, respectively.

Zimbabwean UFC fighter Themba Gorimbo shared his perspective on the controversy surrounding Adesanya’s response to du Plessis’ comments about African representation. Gorimbo’s journey, from being homeless at one point to making it in the UFC, has been nothing short of remarkable. Starting from rock bottom, with a measly $7 in his bank account, he fought tooth and nail to make a name for himself inside the octagon. His perseverance caught the attention of none other than Dwayne Johnson, who acknowledged Gorimbo’s incredible story.

Speaking on the du Plessis-Adesanya feud, Gorimbo emphasized that many African fighters, including himself, also breathe African air and wake up under the African sun, challenging du Plessis’ claim of being the only authentic African fighter.

Themba Gorimbo reflects on Dricus du Plessis’ “only African” UFC fighter comments

During an interview with MMA Mania back in May, Themba Gorimbo boldly addressed the “real African” debate ignited by Dricus du Plessis. Reflecting on the whole situation, ‘The Answer’ wasted no time in asserting, “What Dricus said was wrong. Firstly he is not- at that point in time when the interview was done, he was not the only human coming- not the only African fighter who breathes and smells African air or wake up in African sun with an African address. I was in Africa too and we train 30 minutes away from each other. He knew about me, too.”

However, Gorimbo acknowledged the validity in du Plessis’ statement concerning Israel Adesanya, Kamaru Usman, and other fighters. He acknowledged, “The story with Izzy and Kamaru Usman and other guys, he[Dricus du Plessis] was right. But he was also not right. Because the belt have gone to Africa. Ngannou took his belt to Cameroon, Adesanya went to Nigeria, Kamaru went to Nigeria. But do they live and train in Africa? No.”

Read more: “You Are Worse”: Israel Adesanya’s “Real African” Drama With Dricus Du Plessis Condemned in Front of Joe Rogan

Intriguingly, Gorimbo shed light on a captivating fact that tips the scales in favor of Israel Adesanya over the Hatfield native, du Plessis.

Israel Adesanya is the African MMA hero

Further delving into the African debate, Themba Gorimbo openly revealed the disparity in admiration between Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya among African kids. Despite du Plessis being a resident fighter in Africa, Gorimbo disclosed that the majority of African children who engage in MMA look up to ‘The Last Stylebender’.

Gorimbo expressed, “Izzy is the guy that any African kid in Africa looks up that is doing MMA. Including myself. I’m in the UFC. I look upto Izzy. Nobody- few look up to Dricus, which is great, you know. We can get inspired by him, but not a lot of kids look up to him to be honest and fair, you know. Because you know what… the suffering is different.”

As the feud between du Plessis and Adesanya reached its peak, the stage was finally set for their long-awaited face-off. The fire of contention had found its ground, ready to be stoked with intensity and resolve.

Who are you rooting for in Dricus du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya? And what do you make of Themba Gorimbo’s take on the situation? Let us know in the comments below.

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