PERTH, Australia – Dricus Du Plessis has expressed that while he is not seeking friendship with Israel Adesanya following UFC 305, he acknowledges a newfound respect for his opponent.
After an intense build-up to Saturday’s middleweight championship bout at RAC Arena, Du Plessis (22-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) emerged victorious with a fourth-round submission over Adesanya (24-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC), marking his first title defense.
Following the fight, the two fighters shared a heartfelt moment in the octagon, with Adesanya raising Du Plessis’ hand in recognition. Backstage, Du Plessis presented Adesanya with a custom jacket, who in turn referred to Du Plessis as a “true African champion.”
Despite their prior animosity, Du Plessis stated that much of the tension has dissipated. He emphasized that his pre-fight comments were not aimed at undermining Adesanya or any other African fighter’s achievements. “What I said was never to challenge Israel or any other African fighter on being the first African fighter (to win a UFC title),” stated Du Plessis. He reiterated that he respects Adesanya’s accomplishments and the effort they both exhibited during the fight.
Du Plessis went on to clarify that while he and Adesanya do not see eye-to-eye personally, he holds significant respect for him as a fellow fighter. He even noted that presenting the jacket was a token of gratitude for the experience of fighting Adesanya, whom he considers to be a great competitor.
Reflecting on the bout, Du Plessis emphasized that sharing time in the cage creates a unique bond among fighters, particularly after a fiercely contested match like theirs. He acknowledged that their pre-fight rivalry was genuine, but it became irrelevant once the fight began.
Du Plessis praised Adesanya’s performance and expressed satisfaction with his own execution in the bout, revealing he anticipated a challenging fight but was pleased with the outcome. He appreciated Adesanya’s acknowledgment of his skills following the loss and felt this exemplified the spirit of MMA, which has the power to unite fighters.
Overall, Du Plessis feels he performed well against Adesanya, affirming the former champion’s talent and resilience in the octagon.