Israel Adesanya shares emotional speech after heated exchange with Dricus du Plessis
Israel Adesanya and Dricus du Plessis are gearing up for a highly anticipated middleweight title clash set to headline UFC 305. The pair have shared a tense build-up to the bout, with du Plessis' comments about being the first "real African champion" having lit a fire under the former middleweight king.
'The Last Stylebender' believes that his African counterpart has discredited the groundwork laid by himself, Kamaru Usman, and Francis Ngannou without reason. But 'Stillknocks' has stood his ground on his past comments, leading to an emotionally-laced middleweight title fight.
During the UFC 305 pre-fight press conference, Adesanya revealed that on Tuesday (20th Aug.), he will be returning to Nigeria, his birthplace. His statement caused Du Plessis to provocatively ask if he would be "bringing his servants with," a reference to the domestic workers who worked for Adesanya's family when he lived in Nigeria as a child.
The question irked 'The Last Stylebender', who retorted with this:
"What the f**k are you even on about? You don't know anything about my story. You have no idea who the f**k I am. My father and myself had to wake up at 4 a.m to clean the banks while my mom studied to be a nurse, you don't know my f**king story!" [19:40-20:15]
A visibly emotional Adesanya then shared a touching speech to close out the media event, saying this:
"I do this for the people I love. I will fight for you forever... I am a f**king human being, I am a man. I can cry and whoop your a*s at the same time. I feel the love from the crowd... Sunday I'm gonna f**king kill your dreams b**ch." [22:25-23:00]
Watch Israel Adesanya and Dricus du Plessis exchange words below:
Israel Adesanya is eager to make Dricus du Plessis pay for disrespect
Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya will clash in the first all-African UFC title fight ever at UFC 305.
There is plenty of tension in the air ahead of the bout, given du Plessis' past comments about being the first "real African UFC champion", and the former middleweight champion is eager for recompense.
Ahead of the title fight, Adesanya appeared in front of the media, where he said this:
"What he said was blasphemous because without myself, Francis [Ngannou] and Kamaru [Usman], he wouldn't be able to be champion... What he said was really blasphemous and he'll take accountability for what he said. He'll be forced to."
Catch Israel Adesanya's comments below (5:20):