Dricus Du Plessis caught the attention of the media and came into the spotlight after he claimed that Israel Adesanya, Kamaru Usman, and Francis Ngannou are not from Africa. This statement made a lot of buzz and subsequently, UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya offered a stern response to Du Plessis in an interview.
The Last Stylebender looked angry while addressing the South African middleweight’s comments during a press conference and warned him. Even in the UFC 287 post-fight conference, Izzy called out Dricus and took a dig at him in an indirect manner without mentioning his rival’s name.
Dricus Du Plessis opens up about his comments about Israel Adesanya
Following this back-and-forth between the two middleweight contenders on social media and interviews, we might see them settle their beef inside the ring later this year. Because Dricus Du Plessis who is #6 takes on #1 middleweight fighter Robert Whittaker for the number one contender’s bout on July 8th at UFC 290.
The winner will get the opportunity to challenge Adesanya for the middleweight title. As we lead up to this big fight, Du Plessis speaks to Submission Radio about his comments on Israel Adesanya. The South African middleweight contender also said that he does not care how his words sound and is not backtracking.
“I have never said the words ‘more African’ in my life. I didn’t say they were not African… I stated facts. I am the only one in title contention, ever, who was born in Africa, lives in Africa, and trains here every single day… I never backpedalled. I’m sticking with that because that is the facts. I don’t care how it came across.”
Dricus reveals the difference between him and UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya
Israel Adesanya didn’t have a kind response to Dricus Du Plessis in a recent video on his YouTube channel. The Last Stylebender claimed that he would easily annihilate Du Plessis and expressed his wish to face the South African inside the octagon.
It is needless to say that Izzy is not a fan of Dricus and wants to seek revenge and made a statement in front of the world. However, Du Plessis has other plans in his mind as he aims to become the first-ever champion from South Africa. While having a conversation, Dricus Du Plessis explained in detail the difference between him and Adesanya.
“It seems to have struck a nerve with Israel Adesanya. He likes to be whatever fits him best in terms of nationality. He’s referred to himself as a Kiwi, he’s referred to himself as Chinese, he’s referred to himself as a Nigerian. At the end of the day, he was born In Africa, he is African, but he does not reside here. That is a fact. That’s what makes me and him different. My success is coming out of Africa.”
A title bout between Israel Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis has the potential to be historic and break headlines as two African fighters compete to prove their point. However, Du Plessis has to pass the test of beating Robert Whittaker before getting closer to his dream of winning the middleweight belt.
