Dricus Du Plessis It is Israel Adesanya was involved in a long confrontation after the UFC 305 press conference about sale.
Middleweight champion Du Plessis (21-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) faces Adesanya (24-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) in the main event of UFC 305, August 17, at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+).
Du Plessis and Adesanya discussed the origins of their rivalry during Tuesday’s “Down Under” event. After they finished, they faced each other – and their intense gaze remained.
A few words were exchanged and later Du Plessis shared what was said.
“I think he said, ‘Don’t kiss me,’” said Du Plessis Send radio. “As far as I know. He said, ‘Don’t kiss me now.’ I said, ‘I’m not a dog, so I’m not going.’ I don’t know what he was saying. I wasn’t really focused on what he was saying. The date is set. There is no need to say anything.”
Adesanya, 34, who has not competed since losing his 185-pound belt to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 last September, reiterated that this fight is not about regaining the title. However, Du Plessis thinks “The Last Stylebender” has some mental vulnerability in his grudge match.
“In terms of behavior, all this behavior around this whole fight, I can feel this man is trying to convince himself that he still wants to be here,” Du Plessis said. “In saying that, he has done a lot in the sport and says it is no longer about titles. He will never get what he had again. There’s not enough time. You know, the winning streak. He did what he was going to do in the sport in terms of legacy.
“So no, now he’s talking so much outside of the sport instead of talking about what’s going on in the sport that – I don’t know. In my opinion, I think it’s him trying to show or convince himself that he still wants to do this, that he still has what it takes. But I’m just here to show him that he’s not. He is well. Take your time and, you know, enjoy your golf. I’m the new champion and the new king of this division, and I’m going to make sure he knows it.”
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to UFC 305.
