Thursday’s UFC 305 press conference featuring Israel Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis featured a series of intense moments between the two—one of them bringing ‘The Last Stylebender’ to tears.
On Saturday, Adesanya will return to the Octagon nearly a year removed from his decisive defeat at the hands of former middleweight champion Sean Strickland. This time, he’ll attempt to make history as the division’s first-ever three-time titleholder when he meets the new 185-pound king in Perth, Australia.
Ahead of their highly anticipated clash at RAC Arena, both ‘DDP’ and Adesanya exchanged some incredibly intense words, but one particular comment appeared to really get under the Nigerian-born star’s skin.
“On Tuesday, I’m going back to Nigeria,” Adesanya said. “I think Friday I’m going to South Africa, and then the next week I’m going back to New Zealand. I am a child of the earth, and when I take this belt, I’m taking it everywhere with me.”
Responding to Adesanya’s comments, ‘DDP’ asked if he would be “taking the servants” with him when he goes back to Africa. That struck a chord with the ‘Stylebender,’ sparking a heating back-and-forth between the two.
“What the f*ck are you even on about?,” Adesanya fired back.
“My guy, it’s obviously a see and tell,” Du Plessis explained. “We can see that, what do you mean? You’re saying that I made it about culture?”
“Bro, shut the f*ck up, you don’t know anything about my story!” Adesanya interrupted. “You have no idea who the f*ck I am.”
“I don’t care about your story,” Du Plessis said.
“Listen, my father and myself had to wake up at 4 a.m. and clean the banks while my mum studies to be a nurse,” Adesanya said. “You don’t know my f*cking story. Don’t f*cking speak of my story if you don’t know my story. I will show you who you are Sunday so right now, shut the f*ck up!”
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Asked how he felt about the tension in the room and Du Plessis’ words, Adesanya was overcome with emotion.
“He touched a subject there because I do this for my family,” Adesanya said while tearing up. “I do this for the people I love, and I will fight for you forever. I swear to God. Look, I’m a f*cking human being. I’m a man. I can cry and whoop your ass at the same time. I feel the love from the crowd. First time I fought here, (UFC) 221, that was February 2018, that was me making my dream come true. Sunday, I’m going to f*cking kill your dreams, b*tch!”
Following the festivities, Du Plessis poked fun at Adesanya’s emotional reaction on social media, sharing a screenshot of the ‘Stylebender in tears with the caption:
“Come on guys stop crying at the press conferences it’s not that serious,” accompanied by the RotF laughing emoji.
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Some of the More Intense Moments From Thursday’s Press Conference with Israel Adesanya and ‘DDP’
Thursday’s press event was rife with hot-blooded moments, including a fiery face-off between the two UFC 305 headliners, which you can see below:
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DDP: “The photo he got, I’m assuming it came from his for you page because it was me as a teenager. Searching naked teen boys, if that’s on your search engine you need to check that sh*t out.”
Izzy: “Somebody’s mad. It must’ve been cold that morning.”
DDP: “It’s the authorities… pic.twitter.com/ctBA0uOhm1
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 16, 2024
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While the UFC 305 main card will start at the standard time of 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, August 17, the official weigh-ins will go down at 6 p.m. ET with the ceremonial weigh-ins starting five hours later.
Watch the full pre-fight press event below:
