Dricus Du Plessis wants to defend the title on his own terms, nobody else’s.
There was a lot of questions asked on who would headline the historic event in UFC 300 and the new UFC Middleweight Champion vs. Israel Adesanya was thought to be one of the promotion’s biggest options for the men on the marquee.
However, the title fight was too good to be true for Apr. 13 as it’d be a quick turnaround for Du Plessis, who’s coming off a five-round war against Sean Strickland.
‘Stillknocks’ On Turning Down UFC 300 Return
Du Plessis reveals what went into the decision to opt out of UFC 300 in a recent interview, likely to the disapproval of Adesanya.
“So obviously with the conversations of 300, that would’ve been a massive fight, me and Izzy. It was on the table, 100%. But, one thing people don’t realize is why would I go and start a camp once again injured If I am the champion?” Du Plessis said.
“Taking risks is one thing. I have been taking risks a lot. But why would I risk— I’m the champion now and I can fight when I’m ready. I think Izzy misjudges himself as still being a champion and he’s not. You will fight when you get the opportunity. You don’t dictate when I fight.”
“Of course, I would’ve loved to whip his ass at UFC 300, but unfortunately that’s not the case.”
DDP To Adesanya: ‘You Get Summoned When You Get Summoned’
Former champion Adesanya confirmed he was in talks with the promotion to fight Du Plessis, citing he was ‘summoned’ at UFC 300. Obviously, ‘The Last Stylebender’ didn’t get his wish and will have to wait for his rival.
“Oh, poor Izzy. Hey, you don’t have a title, so you get summoned when you get summoned. That’s how it works,” Du Plessis said of Adesanya’s comments. “The fight’s gonna happen. He’s been a big mouth about coming to South Africa and dragging carcasses, that’s what he said. So, be a man of your words. Step up, do it. Let’s make UFC Africa. Let’s make that happen.
“Obviously that is what I would love in an ideal situation, he’s fighting Israel on African and South African soil. Hosting that even and making history for Africa, for the UFC, for myself and for him. That’s his heritage. He was born in Africa. Talk about something bigger than yourself, that is something bigger than yourself.
A ‘Legacy Fight’ In Africa
Dricus Du Plessis is confidents his dreams of a UFC event in Africa will eventually turn into a reality, especially with Nigeria-born Israel Adesanya standing across the cage from him.
“If they wanna do it this year, I know Dana said, ‘If Dricus becomes champion, we will be looking at doing events in South Africa’. That’s what they wanna do. If we can make that happen in this year, I will wait for that fight, cause that is the fight to make. That is a legacy fight for both of us. We are not friends, but one thing I can’t take away from Israel Adesanya, he’s one of the greatest middleweights to ever do this. I want to defend my belt against him. I don’t wanna fight anybody else.”
