The South African Dricus du Plessis, recent UFC world champion, will face the Nigerian Israel Adesanya, ex-champion, for a poster which was highly anticipated. For the first time in history, two Africans will face each other for a world champion title in the UFC, on August 17 in Perth, Australia.
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By looking for each other, they had to (re)find themselves in the octagon. Dricus Du Plessis-Israel Adesanya is the story of a rivalry that started from almost nothing, but was well staged by the two fighters and which will now be staged and produced by the UFC. The vein of rivalry between two Africans was too tempting to pass up this great opportunity.
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Fans have been salivating at the idea of witnessing the “fists” since Du Pelssis launched the first banderilla. The South African fighter indeed shouted loudly, in April 2023, speaking of his title ambitions, that he would become “the first African champion in the UFC”. A sort of barely disguised dig at the champions Francis Ngannou, Kamaru Usman, but especially at Israel Adesanya, all of whom train and live outside of Africa. Unlike him, the native of Pretoria, who still resides and trains in the country of the Springboks.
Adesanya: “ my South African brother…”
Adesanya, born in Lagos, was quick to react very strongly. The Nigerian first promised his counterpart to “drag his carcass throughout South Africa” and then “to beat until it turns black “. “ I’m going to take him to cage and history school. It creates division. I never questioned that he was African, because he was born in Africa. But who is he to tell me who I am? »
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The script of the fight began to be written, the trailer would follow in July 2023 when Adesanya, a spectator at UFC290 where fighter Du Plessis allowed himself to go and insult his now best enemy in the cage whom he called “ my South African brother “. “ I am not your brother(…) It seems that you are a New Zealander », replied Du Plessis. Adesanya’s reply: “ I don’t need a DNA test “.
Stop talking, the poster is now official: “Settling of scores in Perth” is not to be missed on August 17.