Israel Adesanya displayed a surge of emotions while reacting to remarks made by Dricus Du Plessis ahead of their title fight at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia. The matchup, taking place this Saturday at RAC Arena, has drawn attention due to Du Plessis’ claims of being the first true African champion.
Despite Adesanya’s previous attempts to refute this assertion, a particular comment from Du Plessis during the pre-fight press conference on Friday struck a nerve. Adesanya mentioned his travels, stating, “On Tuesday, I’m going back to Nigeria. I think Friday I’m going to South Africa, and then the next week I’m going back to New Zealand. I am a child of the earth, and when I take this belt, I’m taking it everywhere with me.”
In response, Du Plessis made a remark about Adesanya potentially taking “the servants” with him, which elicited a passionate rebuttal. Adesanya shot back, “What the f*ck are you even on about?” He continued to express frustration, saying, “You have no idea who the f*ck I am.”
The exchange escalated as both fighters discussed their backgrounds. Adesanya recounted his family’s struggles, emphasizing, “You don’t know my f*cking story. Don’t f*cking speak of my story if you don’t know my story.” In contrast, Du Plessis maintained that he was focused on his own legacy, asserting, “You’re talking about I made it about anything else than being the first residing African champ.”
Adesanya also criticized Du Plessis for his demeanor during the “Welcome to Country Ceremony,” highlighting an apparent lack of respect for the local customs. As tensions flared, Adesanya reiterated his commitment, expressing, “I do this for my family… I’m a f*cking human being. I’m a man. I can cry and whoop your ass at the same time.”
As the press conference concluded, Adesanya wiped away tears while discussing the personal motivations behind his fight, displaying a raw vulnerability ahead of the much-anticipated event. The buildup to their clash continues to intensify, promising an electrifying encounter at UFC 305.