UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya has dropped a potential bombshell on his next fight.
Adesanya is expected to meet Dricus du Plessis, likely at UFC 293 on September 9 in Sydney, Australia. With that said, plans may have changed. If “The Last Stylebender” is to be believed, then du Plessis is off the card.
After UFC 290, Israel Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis had an intense face-off. ‘Stillknocks’ earned a stunning second-round knockout over Robert Whittaker, earning him a middleweight title shot. The confrontation had some racial undertones due to comments made by Du Plessis.
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Rope-a-dope without the ropes.
Always inspired by the G.O.A.T!! pic.twitter.com/ec2vwq58wK— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) April 12, 2023
Israel Adesanya vs. Sean Strickland?
In a video posted on social media, Israel Adesanya addressed his next title defense. He insisted that Dricus du Plessis won’t be fighting in two months due to a swollen foot.
“Dricus du P*ssy, you f*cking b*tch,” Adesanya said. “‘All he had to do was put on some gloves, I was ready to go again.’ No, you weren’t. You a b*tch, that’s why you’re not taking this fight. Your foot’s swollen. My knee was jacked two weeks before my last fight. Guess what I did? I showed up ’cause that’s what a f*cking champion does.”
Adesanya went on to say that he will remain on the UFC 293 card. He then mentioned the name of Sean Strickland as his next opponent.
“I’m fighting in Sydney, I don’t give a f*ck who,” Adesanya said. “D*ckless du P*ssy, f*ck off. You’re out, Strickland, you’re in. Let’s do the man dance, show you how to really dance.”
While Strickland has lost two key fights against Jared Cannonier and Alex Pereira, there’s no doubt that his trash talk will draw some attention to the fight. Strickland is known for being unfiltered, and if this is indeed the alternative route for the UFC, the promotion clearly feels it’s a fight that will sell.
Strickland is fresh off a second-round TKO finish against Abus Magomedov in early July. Strickland had been calling for a middleweight title opportunity after beating Abus. He shared his belief that du Plessis never stood a chance against Adesanya.
Dickless DuPussay. pic.twitter.com/UQwRF2a5tU
— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) July 20, 2023
