Israel Adesanya vehemently responded to Dricus du Plessis’s recent criticism regarding his African heritage, issuing a strong warning to the middleweight contender.
Speaking on The MMA Hour, Adesanya expressed his deep offense at du Plessis’s insinuation that he is less African than his South African counterpart.
Adesanya delivers brutal jab at Dricus Du Plessis
Israel Adesanya talks DDP#TheMMAHour pic.twitter.com/MgrUzyY1Qq
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) June 12, 2023
The Kiwi fighter found the remarks disrespectful and even hinted that du Plessis might be surprised by the results of an ancestry test if he dared to take one. Adesanya made it clear that he won’t tolerate any questioning of his roots and appears ready to settle the score inside the Octagon.
“How the f*ck you gonna question me, Francis [Ngannou] and Kamaru’s [Usman] blackness, our Africaness. Who the f*ck are you?…You ever hear of Ancestry and Me?
If you do Ancestry and Me on me, I know where the f*ck I’m from. If you do it on him [du Plessis]. He’ll find out where the f*ck he’s from and I’ll tell you. It wouldn’t say South Africa.”
Israel expressed his anticipation for a swift and emphatic victory by ‘Stillknocks’ against Robert Whittaker at UFC 290.
Adesanya revealed his eagerness to face the winner and made it clear that he would be prepared to step into the Octagon in September. With no room for doubt, Israel left no ambiguity about his intentions.
The outcome of the du Plessis and Whittaker fight could potentially add an intriguing dynamic. As it remains to be seen if a title shot against Adesanya shortly after their bout will heighten the pressure on both fighters to secure an early finish.
The prospect of facing Israel may motivate du Plessis and Whittaker to push themselves to the limit. Seeking a decisive victory over their opponent. The aftermath of their fight promises to be captivating as it unfolds.
What is Israel Adesanya’s ethnicity?
Israel has swiftly made a name for himself within the UFC, despite his relatively short time in the organization. Born on July 22nd, 1989, in Lagos, Nigeria, Adesanya hails from a family with diverse professional backgrounds.
His father, Femi Adesanya, worked as an accountant, while his mother, Taiwo Adesanya, pursued a career as a nurse. As the oldest among his siblings, Deborah, Samuel, David, and Bolu, Adesanya was raised in an affluent household.
Proudly embracing his Nigerian heritage, he belongs to the Yoruba Ethnicity and holds deep connections to his African roots. The Yoruba people form a significant portion of the Nigerian population and are renowned as one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa.
Throughout his upbringing, Israel Adesanya was fluent in the Yoruba language. A blend of the Niger-Combo linguistic influences that shaped his cultural identity.
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