The fire between Israel Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis has never burned so bright. Needless to say, the ‘real African’ debate greatly offended the Nigeria-born fighter. As the date for their fight at UFC 305 gets closer than ever, the South African mixed martial artist revealed his thoughts about the matchup at the media day. Surprisingly, Du Plessis was about winning the fight.
While ‘The Last Stylebender’ was taking the UFC 305 headliner pretty personally, Du Plessis was of a different opinion. Let’s see what the UFC middleweight champ had to say.
Dricus Du Plessis opens up about his feelings on the fight with Israel Adesanya
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During the media day for UFC 305, one of the reporters asked ‘Stillknocks’ about his personal feelings on the fight against ‘Stylebender’. Du Plessis proceeded to defend his stance on the ‘real African’ debate. He simply didn’t take it as personally as Adesanya.
Du Plessis said, “I think I know it’s, it’s definitely personal for him, because he took a lot of offense on what I said for speaking the truth, and he didn’t like it. So, it was never personal because there’s nothing to be personal about. For me, I stated the facts. I stated what I said. 100% the facts. And he took it very personal. So, yeah. He’s angry. I don’t care.”
But then he revealed his goal for the event. And it was all about winning. The South African champ continued, “And I mean, that’s it. At the end of the day, I’m here. I’m here for my business, my business is winning. Not defending a belt. Winning this fight.”
🇿🇦 vs 🇳🇬
Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya shared an intense first face-off 😳#UFC305 pic.twitter.com/Q729e9YHYu
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) July 3, 2024
Despite what DDP had to say, Adesanya was absolutely furious with his words. But what made the former 2-time middleweight champ so angry? Let’s find out!
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‘Stylebender’ directs all the heat at ‘Stillknocks’
The Kiwi-Nigerian mixed martial artist did not like it when Du Plessis claimed that the middleweight championship belt never went to Africa. Adesanya took it as an insult and has never kept quiet about it. Not too long ago, the former 2-time middleweight champ lashed out at the South African, stating that he wouldn’t understand how privileged he was.
‘Stylebender’ said, “Dricus is a b**** for what he’s saying… People like… myself who were forced to flee our own country because of a better opportunity, [Du Plessis] will never understand that because he lives behind the f****** gates of his privileged life in South Africa.”
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Needless to say, the headliner fight at UFC 305 is indeed one of the juiciest grudge matches that the fighting community will witness this year. Adesanya is all out to bring an end to the ‘real African’ debate, while Du Plessis is doing his best to win.
But what do you think of Du Plessis’ words about the fight? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.
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