Israel Adesanya will have his chance to get back the UFC middleweight championship at UFC 305 against Dricus Du Plessis. Ahead of the fight, both fighters have some serious animosity towards each other. Adesanya has plans to punish the champion for disrespecting the ‘Three African Kings.’
Israel Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis came face to face in their first-ever press conference ahead of UFC 305. During the conversation, Izzy discussed the history between him and Du Plessis. Adesanya revealed that he didn’t like Du Plessis allegedly badmouthing him, Francis Ngannou, and Kamaru Usman.
He tried to discredit the Three Kings and say he’s the real, true African champion. Him discrediting me, Francis Ngannou, Kamaru Usman, that tick me off a little bit. That’s what started this and again I’ll finish it.
Israel Adesanya via UFC 305 pre-fight press conference
Du Plessis retaliated by saying he never discredited the ‘Three African Kings’ and just stated facts. According to the champion, he’s the only fighter who trains and lives in South Africa. As such, DDP believed he was the real African champ, not Adesanya, Usman, or Ngannou. Du Plessis mentioned that he plans to kill Izzy inside the octagon and expects the former champion to do the same.
Adesanya: “He tried to discredit the Three Kings and say he’s the real, true African champion.”
Du Plessis: “Never discredited anybody. Stating facts. … I’m glad you took up golf, because that’s a retirement sport.”
Things are heating up ahead of #UFC305. pic.twitter.com/CEUtNUm5Ji
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) July 3, 2024
The history between Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya goes way back, and the bad blood has brewed due to the ‘Real African’ claims. The heated press conference was just a teaser of what fans could expect going into the fight week. Nevertheless, it will be Dricus Du Plessis’s first-ever title defense, and the champion has big plans ahead of the fight.
Dricus Du Plessis thinks defeating Israel Adesanya would make him one of the best ever
Israel Adesanya had one of the most dominant title reigns in recent times. The fighter is a two-time UFC middleweight champion and has defended the title five times. During his time, he ran through the division and never ducked any challenge while being one of the most active champions. However, the middleweight division has seen three new champions in the last couple of years.
Dricus Du Plessis talks about his rivalry with Israel Adesanya (via X)
Among them, Dricus Du Plessis is the newest one and believes that beating Israel Adesanya would put him in the GOAT conversation. ‘Stillknocks’ claimed that Izzy was one of the greatest fighters ever to do it. As such, beating him would boost his resume.
I’ve always looked at Israel Adesanya as the benchmark. Now, Izzy became a champion a long time ago, and I’ve looked at him and always knew this is where I need to be if I ever want to be the best in the world. This is the benchmark.
Dricus Du Plessis via Fox West Texas YouTube channel
Adesanya has lost twice in his last three fights. On the other hand, Du Plessis is riding an undefeated streak in the UFC. It’s a great opportunity for the ‘Stylebender’ to give Du Plessis his first-ever loss and conquer his lost glory. However, it won’t be an easy task against the dangerous fighting style of Du Plessis.
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