Reigning UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis seems one step closer to fighting Israel Adesanya. The duo has been involved in a heated feud with each other since last year. Their beef started after Du Plessis made some comments in an interview that ‘Izzy’ saw this as ‘DDP’ questioning his African-ness and took great offense to it.

After a bit of back-and-forth online and in interviews about who the ‘real African’ is, the bad blood between them boiled over at UFC 290, where the two had a bizarre, expletive-filled confrontation where their contempt for each other was apparent for the world to see. ‘Stillknocks’ was offered a shot at Adesanya and the 185-pound gold at UFC 294. ‘DDP’, however, turned it down as he was recovering from a lingering injury.

Adesanya, in a shocking turn of events, lost his title to Sean Strickland on the Australia card. Humiliated by ‘Tarzan’ over five rounds at UFC 294, ‘Izzy’ took a hiatus from fighting. ‘Tarzan’, for his first title defense, fought Du Plessis at UFC 297, losing a razor-thin split decision to ‘DDP’, who made history by becoming the first South African champion of the UFC.

Given the close and controversial nature of his victory, almost everyone (including Du Plessis) is on board with ‘DDP’ and ‘Tarzan’ running their five-round war back. On purely the merits of the argument, Du Plessis-Strickland should have been made next. But the UFC has gone a different way as Strickland is gearing up to fight Paulo Costa soon.

In addition, just hours ago, the reigning 185-pound champ revealed on X that he has given the nod for his next fight and was wondering what the hold-up was. “I’ve agreed to the opponent and location so what are we waiting for ?” 

While the champ did not say who he was fighting or when there have been rumors that the UFC is looking to make Du Plessis- Adesanya for UFC 305 in August this year. As all of the other top contenders (including Strickland) are scheduled to fight soon, all roads lead to Israel Adesanya being ‘DDP’s next opponent.

And the Dana White-led promotion has very good reasons to eschew a Strickland clash in favor of DDP vs. Izzy. A Du Plessis-Adesanya clash will almost definitely be a blockbuster hit, as the storyline is ripe (almost over-ripe) for a resolution. Adesanya has revealed that he was offered a fight against the South African at UFC 300, but ‘DDP’ turned it down due to health concerns.  And fans were almost unanimous in their desire to watch ‘DDP’ to fight ‘Izzy’ next.

Fans want ‘DDP’ to fight Israel Adesanya next

Fans took to the replies of Du Plessis’s tweet to reiterate they want to see him fight Adesanya, with others already giving their predictions for their long-awaited bout. One fan pleaded with ‘DDP’ with literally folded hands to “Fight Israel Adesanya please. That’s the only Fight we want to see, and you’ll get a very huge Purse. Please Dricus 🙏.” Another was simply curious and wanted confirmation if it was going to be “You vs Izzy in Perth?” at UFC 305 as has been rumored.

One (seemingly) Adesanya fan predicted that the result would be: “izzy by decision.” Another had the completely opposite view, and felt that the champ’s ground game would prove too much for the striker: “Dricus you will make Izzy tap in 3 rounds I believe in it.” Another wanted to see Du Plessis defend his title in his home turf: “It better be in SA Dricus.👏” 

While an official announcement is yet to be made, and the consternation Du Plessis’s tweet perhaps indicates that his next opponent (most probably Adesanya) may be dragging their feet in signing the contract. Despite this, at the moment, it seems Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya is one step closer to being made.