Israel Adesanya and Dricus du Plessis Clash at UFC 305

Israel Adesanya and Dricus du Plessis stoked palpable tension in the lead-up to UFC 305. Adesanya, a Nigerian-born New Zealander, and Du Plessis, a South African, highlighted their rivalry when a South African fan in a taxi expressed a sense of shared victory, regardless of who won the bout. This sentiment offered a rare moment of camaraderie amidst the charged atmosphere which Du Plessis’s claim of being the UFC’s “first real African champion” intensified.

This statement, perceived as a slight against Adesanya and other African fighters who have relocated, added fuel to the pre-fight rivalry. At UFC 305, held in Perth, Australia, Du Plessis defeated Adesanya via submission, marking the first time Adesanya had lost by submission in his UFC career. Despite the pre-fight bitterness, both fighters reconciled after the bout. Israel Adesanya recognized the broader significance of their clash, stating that Africa emerged as the true winner.

He and Du Plessis exchanged mutual respect with Du Plessis giving Adesanya a South African-flagged jacket as a gesture of respect and unity, reflecting Nelson Mandela’s ideals of sports uniting people beyond politics. Looking ahead, UFC executive David Shaw expressed the organization’s interest in hosting an event in Africa, possibly as early as 2025.

While UFC has yet to finalize specific details, the organization is considering logistical challenges, such as scheduling to accommodate different time zones and making a strong first impression on the continent.