Israel Adesanya reacts to Abdul Razak Alhassan going off on Dricus Du Plessis for 'true African champion' comment: "Olorun he will pay!"
Israel Adesanya has provided his reaction after UFC welterweight Abdul Razak Alhassan sounded off on Dricus du Plessis for his "true African champion" comments last year.
Following his TKO win over Robert Whittaker in 2023 to secure his No.1 contender spot, 'Stillknocks' made headlines for a comment he made in an interview. The South African stated that he was planning on winning the middleweight title to become the only true African champion, as he still lives and trains in his home country.
Alhassan, who is set to face Cody Brundage at UFC Denver this weekend, then spoke to the media this week and was asked about the South African's comments. The Ghanian fighter then went off on du Plessis, claiming that a "real African" would never have said what he did:
"He's a f*cking b*tch, he's a f*cking a*shole for that word he used. If he's a real f*cking african and lived in Africa, he would never have used that f*cking word."
Check out 'Judo Thunder's comments here, courtesy of @full_send_mma on X:
Israel Adesanya, who is set to make his highly anticipated return to the octagon at UFC 305 to face du Plessis, then responded to Alhassan's explosive comments. 'The Last Stylebender' praised the welterweight for what he said and claimed that du Plessis "will pay" for what he said. He tweeted:
"Oga!!! I hail you. 🫡Olorun he will pay!"
Check out Adesanya's tweet here:
Israel Adesanya praises former rival Robert Whittaker for latest knockout win
Israel Adesanya was recently full of praise for his former rival Robert Whittaker, after 'The Reaper' picked up an impressive win last month.
Adesanya and Whittaker have previously faced-off twice, with 'The Last Stylebender' getting the upper hand on both occasions. The pair first met at UFC 243, which saw Adesanya walk victorious after a second round TKO. They then ran it back at UFC 271, with the Nigerian-New Zealander once again taking home the win after a unanimous decision victory.
Whittaker would then suffer a defeat at the hands of Dricus du Plessis in 2023, leading many to question whether he has what it takes to return to the top. The 33-year-old has since silenced his doubters, however, as he has picked up two wins in so far in 2024 against the likes of Paulo Costa and Ikram Aliskerov.
Adesanya, who appeared on the Today Show Australia, then congratulated Whittaker on his victories. He said:
''I was fighting the local hero, Rob Whittaker, who just actually had a great win a week or two weeks ago...It [Whittaker’s knockout of Aliskerov] was beautiful. Robbie’s that guy. We fought twice. We always have history, but it was good to see him back in the win column, and he’s coming for me, so I’ve got to stay ready.”
Catch Israel Adesanya's comments here (5:38):