Israel Adesanya recently reflected on his rivalry with Dricus du Plessis, noting a meaningful encounter he had with a South African fan about four months ago. “There was a South African guy in my taxi who said, ‘You know, when you and Dricus fight, even if you win or he wins, I feel like I win’,” Adesanya recounted. “I said ‘exactly’. It was a beautiful moment.”
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The build-up to UFC 305, the first all-African title fight in UFC history, was marked by tension. Du Plessis had referred to himself as the UFC’s “first real African champion,” a comment that Adesanya found contentious. Du Plessis later clarified that he meant he was the first champion residing on the continent, unlike Adesanya, Usman, and Ngannou, who moved abroad. Despite the initial bitterness, the fight ended with Du Plessis submitting Adesanya in Perth, Australia.
After the bout, Adesanya acknowledged the significance of the event for Africa. “Africa won tonight. He’s going to inspire the next generation of African fighters, just as I, Usman, and Ngannou inspired him,” said Adesanya.
In a gesture of respect, Du Plessis gifted Adesanya a jacket embroidered with the South African flag, referencing Nelson Mandela’s belief in the unifying power of sport. Du Plessis remarked, “Warrior to warrior, after spending time in the octagon with him, you can’t not respect that man.”
The UFC is considering hosting an event in Africa, with potential plans for 2025. UFC executive David Shaw mentioned the logistical considerations of staging a pay-per-view event in South Africa, comparing it to recent events in Manchester. “We want to make a good first impression,” Shaw said, hinting that Africa might see its first UFC event soon.
