The enmity between Israel Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis was clear in the run-up to their UFC 305 clash. After all, the duo had been outraged at a comment ‘DDP’ made last year, which ‘Izzy’ took as questioning his African-ness, which has led to the two taking shots at each either ever since.

Their pre-fight press conferences and other interactions were quite heated and emotional with Adesanya even breaking out into tears at one of Du Plessis’, who seems to excel at getting under his opponents’ skins’, cutting remarks. However, after their epic UFC 305 clash, both men showed they were true champs and buried their hatchet in a display of what is perhaps the best thing about combat sports, the details of which Israel Adesanya recalled fondly on his YouTube channel.

Israel Adesanya reveals what Dricus Du Plessis said after their fight

Dricus Du Plessis, seemingly out of nowhere dropped Israel Adesanya in the fourth round of their UFC 305 main event bout just as ‘Izzy’ seemed to be taking control of the bout. A few moments later, the reigning middleweight champ had Adesanya in a fatal rear naked choke hold, to which the Kiwi immediately submitted.

After the fight, however, both men, despite their differences prior to it, were remarkably cordial and respectful towards each other. Adesanya recalled the moment with a smile to his brother David, revealing how Du Plessis inundated him with compliments after beating him.

“He just gave me a lot of props, a lot of love, a lot of respect. And you know I accepted it and I shook his hand. After his interview… we just talked he said uh sorry maybe, I can’t remember… And he says ‘Hey, you know I’m a big fan’. I’m like ‘Of course,'” Adesanya said.

“Then we hugged and I said ‘Look I respect you, I appreciate you.’ And I said like ‘If I see you again I’m going to try and kill you.’ He’s like ‘I’m going to try and kill you too,'” the former champion laughed.

This reminded the Kiwi-Nigerian of giving the South African champ a spontaneous fingertip kiss on his cheek which brought a smile to both men’s faces. “I didn’t even think, I was like *smooch*. I just thought that was sweet, that was nice in the moment… and we just hugged. I don’t think he’s a bad person,” a smiling Adesanya added. While ‘Izzy’ certainly enjoyed and gave a good account of himself at UFC 305, even if he lost, the former champion is not very sure what comes next for him.

What next for Adesanya and Du Plessis?

Dricus Du Plessis knows he will face Sean Strickland next because, well, Dana White told him this and all the world at the UFC 305 post-fight press conference. After that, the winner of the upcoming Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev bout is next for the titleholder.

For Adesanya, however, the picture is much fuzzier. With no clear opponent on the horizon, and having already faced and defeated most of the top-ranked guys in the division, he may choose to fight a fresh face like #4-ranked Nassourdine Imavov, or Brendan Allen (who are set to fight next month).

Or, the former champ can fight any of the top-ten guys he’s already fought and defeated. There is also the option that ‘Izzy’ waits and fights the loser of the Du Plessis vs.Sean Strickland rematch. For now, however, even Israel Adesanya doesn’t have any idea. Asked who he will fight next or when on the podcast, ‘Izzy’ simply said “I don’t know… enjoy me while I’m here man, enjoy me while I fight… We’ll see.” Who do you think Israel Adesanya’s next opponent should be?