UFC Reportedly Exploring Idea of Dricus Du Plessis vs Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in Australia

The UFC is reportedly in talks to set up a much anticipated showdown between rising South African star Dricus Du Plessis and former Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya.

Sources close to the organization suggest that UFC 305, slated to take place in Australia, could feature this potentially explosive matchup as its main event.

UFC exploring Dricus Du Plessis vs Israel Adesanya possibilities

Eugene Bareman, Israel Adesanya’s coach, in a recent interaction with the New Zealand Herlad, addressed the rumored and potential Israel Adesanya vs Dricus Du Plessis matchup.

Bareman expressed that Israel Adesanya had been in the gym preparing for Dricus, as it was expected that ‘Izzy’ would be headlining the UFC 300 card against the reigning champion. He also expressed feeling surprised when they did not receive a call for the main event.

“Israel will be fighting for the title next,” Bareman said. “The date, I’m not sure. Give us a date and we’ll take it. We’re sitting ready to go.”

The UFC is expected to return to Australia on August 18, with Perth playing host to UFC 305. It can be expected that the UFC would book a main event for the same. While there have been no talks about that as it stands, Adesanya’s team shares the UFC’s interest in booking the fight for Perth for UFC 305.

Dricus Du Plessis Dares Israel Adesanya to Fight Him

Dricus Du Plessis, the current middleweight champion, issued a bold challenge to Israel Adesanya in an episode of The Hustlers Corner SA, and asked “Izzy” to be a man of his word and stand upto Dricus.

“So you claim you want to drag my carcass around in South Africa, as you said,” du Plessis said on the “Hustlers Corner” video podcast. “So be a man of your word, and let’s do it.”

Initially expected to headline the main event for UFC 300 against Adesanya, Dricus Du Plessis expressed that he was still injured and recovering and would not have been in fight condition by the time of UFC 300.

“We are talking, definitely. That’s what the people want to see, and that’s what I want to do. I want to fight the best guys. This is an entertaining sport,” Du Plessis said.

Du Plessis also confirmed that him and his team are actively working on booking the Israel Adesanya fight again. The two have shared history since he faced off with this past year after a win over ex-champ Robert Whittaker at UFC 290.