- Dricus du Plessis was nervous as he waited for the judges’ decision at UFC 297
- “Stillknocks” made it clear that he wants a showdown with Israel Adesanya in Africa
Dricus du Plessis recounted how he felt inside the Octagon as Bruce Buffer read the judges’ decision at UFC 297. The new UFC middleweight champ also expressed his strong desire to face Israel Adesanya in a potential UFC Africa bout.
Most intense moment in Dricus’ life
Speaking to reporters in a presser back in his homeland, “Stillknocks” did not shy away from admitting that even though he was confident that he won, waiting for the judge’s decision was the most intense moment of his life.
“I honestly thought we did enough to win the fight going into decision. But, you know, when you go to a judges’ decision, it’s always a 50/50 I guess, but when they started announcing that split decision, I’ve never prayed so hard in my life. You know, because now it comes down to one judge’s opinion, maybe he doesn’t like green shorts, and I fought in green shorts, you know? So I was literally standing there and praying and saying ‘Please let the right guy win this fight,'” Du Plessis opened up. “It was the most intense moment of my life.”
UFC 300 or Izzy at UFC Africa
As for what’s next, Du Plessis said he is yet to know how much time he needs to recover. However, the reigning champ is already certain about what he wants.
According to “Stillknocks,” it would only be either a UFC 300 match or a grudge match with Izzy if the UFC goes to Africa.
“UFC 300 is a big possibility if my body allows it. I took some punishment obviously with some small injuries. I’m not 100 percent sure what the gravity of those injuries are. I’m going to the doctor after this and making sure concussion tests are done, making sure we do the scans, making sure that there’s nothing serious injured. Then UFC 300 is a big, big possibility,” Du Plessis said.
“I have to be honest with you, if UFC Africa is going to happen, you’re going to look very far beyond to find a more perfect fight than me vs. Israel Adesanya and that’s a fight I want right here on home soil where he said he wants to make it happen,” he pointed out.
As it stands, Adesanya is still inactive and it is yet to be determined if the UFC is truly interested in booking Khamzat Chimaev against Du Plessis as his first title challenger. However, one thing certain is that a rematch with Sean Strickland in not being considered at this point.
Check out Du Plessis’ full presser below:
