Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka’s stoic stare for 4:55 minutes was something else. Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya soon followed in their way with a rather lengthy faceoff yesterday. The duo were on point after the UFC 305 on-sale kickoff conference. The intensity remains at an all-time high ahead of their August showdown for the middleweight title.
During Tuesday’s event in “Down Under,” Du Plessis and ‘Stylebender’ went back and forth about the origin of their rivalry. The duo had one of the most fiery interactions debating their “true African” mettle that started a year back. Now, the 34-year-old Kiwi thinks the champion needs to acknowledge the legacy the “true Africans” handed him down the line.
You have to honor those who came before you. He’s a guy saying ‘I’m the real African champion’…Look, you wouldn’t be able to do what you’re doing…at your ‘home’ in South Africa if myself, Francis Ngannou, and Kamaru didn’t pave the way for you. So you have to respect your elders.
Israel Adesanya via The Today Show
Israel Adesanya hasn’t fought since losing the 185-pound belt last September. Dricus Du Plessis captured gold from Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 297. However, it’s not about facing the enemy of the enemy who turned out better. The ‘Stylebender’ thinks he still has a target on his back for the legacy he set ahead alongside Kamaru Usman and Francis Ngannou.
🌍Adesanya believes he deserves the respect from Dricus Du Plesis because Adesanya, Usman and Ngannou paved the way for African champions like him.
“He’s saying he’s the real UFC African champion. You wouldn’t be able to do what you’re doing at home… in South Africa, if it… pic.twitter.com/tsgIxZSb0k
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) July 4, 2024
During the UFC 305 on-sale kickoff conference, he also alluded to ‘Stillknocks’ discrediting the three kings who lay the path forward. Accordingly, Adesanya promised to finish Du Plessis for the disrespect. Meanwhile, Du Plessis scoffs that this is just some weird coping mechanism.
Dricus Du Plessis: Israel Adesanya does not have enough time to rebuild legacy
The legacy of the three African Kings is one to behold. ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ Usman and Israel Adesanya went 5-0 and 4-0 (bar Pereira) in successful title defenses before ultimately losing their gold. Heavyweight knockout artist Francis Ngannou had a similar success but later left the UFC for a better contract.
Dricus Du Plessis doubts Israel Adesanya’s fighting aspirations before UFC 305 (Source: sportsnet.ca/agfight.com)Not that Dricus Du Plessis does not acknowledge the three perennial royalties, but he wants to be better himself. During Tuesday’s initial staredowns, a lot went on between the two. Du Plessis could not escape the pitfalls of past interactions with his coach.
Meanwhile, Adesanya could not escape the dreary allegations of puppy p*rn controversy yet again! More than that, he couldn’t sum up enough momentum to come off as a proper title challenger. As such, DDP believes Adesanya’s legacy will not improve post-UFC 305.
In terms of the demeanor, this whole demeanor around this whole fight, I can feel this man is trying to convince himself that he still wants to be here…He will never get what he had again. There’s not enough time. You know, the winning streak…So no, right now he’s talking about so much outside of the sport.
Dricus Du Plessis via Submission Radio YT Channel
When the dust settled, the middleweight champ found Adesanya “smaller” than what he used to be. The Citykickboxing NZ staple has reiterated it’s not about titles anymore. Adesanya also says that it’s about gaining the respect back and the recognition of the three kings. He also doused some profanities and signage at the champ without any motivation.
Du Plessis thinks the challenger has done what he has to to set a legacy. However, with a splintered demeanor and talks of three past champs, he thinks those days are gone. Getting back to a winning streak would be tough; come this August, he’d make sure of it.
