“Dricus (du Plessis) is an African champion, but you know, the three kings will reign supreme,” said Israel Adesanya after he was defeated by the champion last year at UFC 305. Interestingly enough, one the ‘three kings’ has now changed the picture to give the UFC middleweight champion his due respect. The South African fighter is all set to defend his title for the second time, this time against his former rival, Sean Strickland, at UFC 312. Ahead of the clash, Kamaru Usman has officially stepped forward to include him in the “Three Kings” debate.

While having a conversation with his audience at the ‘Pound4Pound’ podcast, Kamaru Usman emphasized that they will have to move forward from the era of three kings to the era of four horsemen as he finally acknowledged Dricus Du Plessis as an African champion. “Dricus Du Plessis is the fourth African champion, so there are four horsemen. We’ve moved on from the three kings to where now it’s the four horsemen. I saw the debate; it was very untasteful because this is how division is continuously perpetuated,” said Usman.

Usman further added, “Was Israel born in Africa? Yes. Was he raised in Africa? Yes, until his family moved him out to look for an opportunity. I understand it was a whole marketing thing for Du Plessis, which he might not have necessarily meant the way Israel might have taken it all the way. But you have to be careful because it’s dangerous. That’s why.”

Dricus Du Plessis accused the three kings of not truly representing the African continent, pointing out that none of them lived or trained in their homeland. This debate caught the attention of Adesanya and Usman, who came forward to counter his claims. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ had a level-headed response back in March 2023, as he does now.

At the UFC 286 media day, Usman said, “I saw it, and I guess the thing about me is I try not to be quick to jump on someone and really kill them for those things. I’m not part of this cancel culture. But, I understand what he’s trying to say, but I think the one thing he’s failing to realize is – just because I go to China, and my parents are in China and I’m raised in China, that doesn’t make me more Chinese than people from China… so just because you went over to South Africa and you were raised there, that doesn’t make you African. So, I would say to him: Try to be a little bit more careful with what you say and how you say it.”

He further added, “That’s the thing nowadays is the younger guys and the newer guys and they get up here and they just talk, because they want to appeal to the fans, appeal to the people. But try to be more mindful, because 20 years from now, that’s not going to age well.”

However, it appears that Usman has made his final statement on the matter. At the end of the debate, the former welterweight champion invited Dricus Du Plessis to his podcast to have a one-on-one conversation. And if they do sit down together, there’s one question he’s bound to ask Du Plessis, in addition to the ‘real African’ debate. It would be about lightweight champion Islam Makhachev who has come forward to claim that he has the necessary skills to defeat ‘Stillknocks.’ What is the game plan? Let’s find out.

Islam Makhachev might have the necessary formula to defeat Dricus Du Plessis

After nearly clearing out his division, Islam Makhachev has set his eyes on Dircus Du Plessis as his primary target. Makhachev wants to become a two-division champion before concluding his career. However, his friend Belal Muhammad currently rules the welterweight division, so the lightweight champion will have to jump a division for that opportunity. It might sound a bit absurd, but the Dagestani appears confident in his ability to fight and dethrone Dricus Du Plessis.

While having a conversation with the media, Makhachev asserted, “My height allows [a move to middleweight]. I think my physical data allows it, too. I just need to work with my specialists, gain muscle mass, add a little weight. I think I can try. As I already said at the press conference after the fight, if they offered it to me tomorrow and say they will give me time to gain weight, I would not turn it down. I would 100 percent agree to fight at middleweight.”

He further added, “I’m not saying that I have a better chance, that I can 100 percent finish Du Plessis, but watching his fights, watching his style, I think I have the keys to victory.” 

The champion, however, disagrees. “Look, he trains with 185ers in his gym,” Du Plessis said. “But there is only one world champion. So kudos to him for saying what he did, but it doesn’t really matter because I’ll overpower him in any situation. I know he walks around heavy. But I walk around heavy. He’s a big lightweight, I’m a big middleweight. There’s a big difference there.”

Islam Makhachev has had an incredible run since becoming champion. With one or two more title defenses, Dana White might just allow him to fight another higher-weight champion. Should it be Du Plessis? What’s your take on Makhachev’s words? State your thoughts in the comments below.