When Israel Adesanya labeled Dricus du Plessis clash "one of the most important fights in sporting history"
Combat sports megastar Israel Adesanya had highlighted the significance of his grudge match against Dricus du Plessis well before their UFC 305 fight was booked. After reclaiming his UFC middleweight title by defeating archnemesis Alex Pereira via second-round KO in April 2023, Adesanya turned his attention to other rivals.
Adesanya was initially expected to defend his belt against du Plessis at UFC 293 (Sept. 2023). 'Stillknocks' had notably claimed that he'd be the first 'real African' UFC champion who was born, resides, and trains in Africa. 'The Last Stylebender' and a few other fighters of African descent have long been at loggerheads with du Plessis over the polarizing remarks.
Nevertheless, a foot injury prevented du Plessis from accepting the aforementioned matchup. The UFC then roped in America's Sean Strickland to fight Adesanya for the latter's middleweight title at UFC 293.
In an interview with Mike Bohn for MMA Junkie in Aug. 2023, Adesanya addressed his scheduled UFC 293 fight against Strickland. He was questioned about whether he wanted to revisit his feud against du Plessis, to which he answered:
"We'll see if he shows up. But also, I'll see how I feel. I'll see how I feel. I do want that fight. And I feel like that's... That would be one of the most important fights in sporting history."
When requested to elaborate, the Nigeria-born New Zealander replied:
"I mean, you're a smart man, Mike. I think that'd be one of the most important fights in sporting history. I mean that when I say in history. So, yeah, I'll see how I feel 'cause, again, time keeps on ticking. Time waits for no man."
Check out Israel Adesanya's comments below (9:33):
Dricus du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya: 'Stillknocks' and 'The Last Stylebender's' paths to UFC 305
Israel Adesanya was expected to dominantly defend his UFC middleweight championship against Sean Strickland at UFC 293. However, Strickland pulled off a monumental upset, defeating Adesanya via unanimous decision to become the new 185-pound kingpin. 'The Last Stylebender' proceeded to take a hiatus from professional MMA competition.
Meanwhile, in his very next fight at UFC 297 (Jan. 2024), Strickland faced Dricus du Plessis, who was returning from his foot injury. Their grueling fight ended with du Plessis winning via split decision to become the new UFC middleweight champion.
Earlier this year, Adesanya confirmed that he would end his hiatus and return to the octagon. The UFC scheduled Adesanya (24-3 MMA) to fight du Plessis (21-2 MMA) for the latter's middleweight title. Presently, the du Plessis-Adesanya title showdown is set to headline UFC 305 at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, on Aug. 17, 2024 (Aug. 18 local time in Australia).