Dricus du Plessis feels he has the heart of Africa behind him, not Israel Adesanya.
A year ago there were three African UFC champions, then there were none, until Saturday night that is. On Saturday in Miami, Florida, Israel Adesanya defeated Alex Pereria and once again become a UFC champion. Adesanya is of African descent and at one time was thought of as the best African fighter in the world. He is also a New Zealander and now another African fighter on the roster would like to challenge Adesanya for the title of best fighter from Africa.
Dricus du Plessis came to the UFC back in 2020 and immediately began turning heads. He was born and raised in South Africa and believes he has the true support of his continent behind him. He is currently ranked sixth in the middleweight division but would like to jump the line with the interest of an African vs. African title fight behind him.
Dricus du Plessis doesn’t want to wait for a UFC Africa event to take down Israel Adesanya
There has been a great deal of talk from du Plessis on this subject of late. He previously claimed that he and his teammate Cameron Saaimon were the only true African UFC fighters. He put down both Adesanya and Kamaru Usman saying that their belts “never came to Africa.” Adesanya has heard these shots and took one of his own back at du Plessis, although he refused to mention his name in the post-fight presser.
“If he does work, and I pray to God he keeps winning, I will gladly drag his carcass across South Africa,” Adesanya said.
“So you won’t say my name, that’s smart you better not,” he write on Instagram. “I don’t need your airtime at all, I have my whole continent of AFRICA behind me. Go enjoy your very spectacular victory at home in New Zealand. UFC Africa is far from being done at least another year, I’ll meet you on neutral ground this year and if you still feel so strongly after facing me and I take your belt home I’ll give you another chance to come and try face me on MY HOME soil of Africa. We are Africa we fear nothing and certainly nobody.”
Back when Adesanya, Usman, and Francis Ngannou were all holding belts, the UFC began to show interest in holding an event in Africa. That desire is still very much there but planning has been slow. Dana White is adamant about bringing the UFC to Africa, but in the meantime, du Plessis thinks he should be matched with Adesanya for the African bragging rights.
