Israel Adesanya Focuses On Defeating Dricus Du Plessis Before Pursuing UFC Championship

Israel Adesanya Focuses On Defeating Dricus Du Plessis Before Pursuing UFC Championship

Nigerian-born Australian former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has stressed that it is more important for him to beat the reigning champion, Dricus Du Plessis than to reclaim the UFC title.
Israel Adesanya, who hasn’t fought a professional bout for almost a year, will face Dricus Du Plessis of South Africa at UFC 305 on Sunday, August 18, 2024. The kick-off time is 03:00.Ahead of the match-up, Adesanya said the fight is deeply personal for him and goes beyond just winning the title again.

During the UFC 305 Countdown show, Adesanya stated, “This fight is about history and proving a point. Beating Dricus is more important to me than getting the title back. It’s not just about the belt.”

The rivalry between Adesanya and Du Plessis has escalated over the past year, with both fighters engaging in heated exchanges. The animosity is rooted in a debate over who can rightfully claim the title of “true” African champion, adding an extra layer of intensity to their upcoming clash.

After a surprising loss to Sean Strickland in his last appearance in the Octagon, Adesanya took a break from the game. However, he has found the motivation to focus on his next challenge, viewing it as more than just a title fight.

“For me, it’s about beating warriors from different backgrounds, different nations. Fighters like Dricus, taking them out, putting them on my record, and moving on to the next one. That’s what it’s about,” Adesanya said.