Dricus Du Plessis still maintains his claim to be the first African UFC champion.
Current middleweight champion Du Plessis (21-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) will attempt to make his first defense in UFC 305 main attraction on August 17th, when he will face the former champion Israel Adesanya (24-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+).
The fallout resulted from Du Plessis claiming to be the UFC’s first true African champion, disregarding Adesanya, Kamaru Usman and Francis Ngannou, who he argues did not reside or train on the continent when he won UFC gold. This resulted in a racially charged confrontation at UFC 290 in July 2023 after Du Plessis submitted Robert Whittaker.
“We have a history over the years,” Adesanya said during Tuesday’s UFC 305 sales press conference. “It’s almost like destiny because we met in Thailand, formerly Tiger Muay Thai. We played around a bit and, funny enough, here we are again. It’s like a full circle, back to where it all started for me. Once again, he tried to discredit the three kings and say that he is the true African champion.
“And I was like, it’s a weird mindset, man. Like he came into the UFC, I knew a little bit who he was, but I didn’t think, ‘Oh, who the hell is this fake guy coming in?’ I just said, ‘Cool, he’s another African in the UFC.’ But then he discredited me, Francis Ngannou and Kamaru Usman, that irritated me a little. So that’s what started it. But again, I’ll finish.
Du Plessis clarifies his position and is adamant he will not change it.
“There is no tension for me,” said Du Plessis. “I enter the octagon and do my job. I do my business. You might be the biggest idiot in the world. You might be the nicest guy in the world. I’m going there to kill you and I hope you’re doing the same to me, because otherwise it won’t be a good night for you. As for discrediting – I have never discredited anyone. Stating a fact.
“Where I live? What is my zip code? Where do I train? Where I live? Where I was born? In South Africa. Still there, still training. I won this belt in South Africa, I didn’t travel anywhere else. That was the only thing I said. So I’ve never discredited anyone, but frankly, I don’t care how much it bothered you. I don’t call.”
“I really don’t give a fuck where he’s from, but I’m going to show him who he is,” Adesanya responded.
Du Plessis, 30, clapped back, mocking Adesanya, 34, who said he had recently taken up golf during his free time.
“Whatever that means,” said Du Plessis. “I’m glad you took up golf because it’s a retirement sport. I understand you started playing golf.”\
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to UFC 305.
