The year has just begun and we have a new middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis. ‘Stillknocks’ became the first South African to win the title and, with this win, he has maintained his undefeated status. After the win, du Plessis issued a challenge to Israel Adesanya, and it seems like the former champion has accepted du Plessis’s call out.

Sean Strickland failed to defend his title shot, but he for sure delivered what he said – a war. The war was a bloody one, with du Plessis having the last laugh, and now it is Adesanya’s turn to taste du Plessis’s fists. Let us see what the former champion had to say about the newly minted champion.

Israel Adesanya congratulates the new champion

After clinching a narrow victory against Sean Strickland at the UFC 297 main event, du Plessis issued a challenge to Israel Adesanya. The newly crowned champion accused Adesanya of taking the shine out of him. The South African fighter explained that Adesanya’s defeat against Strickland at UFC 293 was the last straw of ‘Stylebender’s career. Alongside this, du Plessis challenged him.

Adesanya seems to have accepted his challenge as the fighter said, “He is the fourth African champion in the UFC history, so congrats to you, my African brother, Dricus du Plessis. Legit, I’m happy for him. I unlike his story and whatnot, but he still did what he did, and I’m still gonna test that a**.”

The fighter is going to make a comeback this year and Dana White claimed that Adesanya’s return announcement will be made as per the UFC’s plan this week. It must be noted that Adesanya and du Plessis beef is nothing new. The fighters were supposed to lock horns at UFC 293 but ‘Stillknocks’ had to withdraw due to an injury.

Interestingly, Adesanya is keen on fighting du Plessis, as the fighter had claimed that they were destined to face each other afterward.

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Adesanya believes that their fight is written in the stars

Will he be back to fight du Plessis? This question has been going through the minds of fans. Adesanya’s return is speculated to happen soon and du Plessis’s challenge just fast-forwarded the process. The former champion took to his X account to add a post that said, “This arc in my story was written long ago. Our paths are destined to cross again.”

Furthermore, he encouraged his supporters and audience to prepare for upcoming developments, alluding to a possible bout against Dricus du Plessis. “Stay tuned for the next episode. Thanks for watching. We Write History.”  This statement by ‘Izzy’ has increased the enthusiasm of the fans, as they are very close to witnessing the real African battle.

Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya seem to be running the middleweight title run, however, Adesanya has to worry now as Alex Pereira and Khamzat Chimaev have been eyeing the belt. Nonetheless, du Plessis’s next opponent is yet to be decided. Who do you think will lock horns against the South African?

Read More: Dilemma for Dana White as Dricus du Plessis Agrees to Fight Alex Pereira in First Title Defense, Snubbing Israel Adesanya After UFC 297 Strickland Fight