Dricus Du Plessis responds to Israel Adesanya‘s recent anonymous call-out and asserts his African identity, challenging Adesanya to a fight on neutral ground with the promise of a rematch on Du Plessis’ home turf if he wins.
South African fighter Dricus Du Plessis has responded to remarks made by UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. After his win at UFC 287, Adesanya declined to name the fighter he would be willing to face, but it is believed to be Du Plessis, who had previously declared himself the more African fighter, even going so far as to threaten to “drag [Adesanya’s] carcass across South Africa”.
In his response on Instagram, Du Plessis made it clear that he does not need Adesanya’s attention or airtime, as he has the whole continent of Africa behind him. He also challenged Adesanya to face him on “neutral ground” this year and, if he were to win, offered him a chance to come to Africa and try to win the belt back on his home turf.
Du Plessis has been vocal about his African heritage, claiming that he and his training partner Cameron will be the first fighters to bring belts to Africa. He noted that as African born, raised, and trained fighters, he and Cameron are the true African champions.
The potential fight between Du Plessis and Adesanya is an exciting prospect, but it remains to be seen whether it will ever take place. UFC President Dana White has previously expressed frustration with the media’s attempts to instigate drama between fighters, suggesting that he may “f*cking attack” those who do so in the future.