Dricus du Plessis electrified the crowd at UFC 290 with a stunning victory over Robert Whittaker, delivering a knockout that solidified his position as a top contender in the middleweight division. This triumph has now thrust ‘Stillknocks’ into the spotlight, officially putting his title shot against Israel Adesanya on the table. However, what elevates this upcoming clash to unprecedented levels is the intense rivalry between du Plessis and Adesanya, which centers on their respective backgrounds and the sensitive issue of race.

Israel Adesanya launches verbal rant at Dricus du Plessis to continue their feud over African heritage at UFC 290

Dricus Du Plessis dominated former champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 290, punching his ticket to a title fight. However, the post-fight events took a nasty turn. ‘Stillknocks’ and the reigning UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya had been engaged in a fiery exchange about their African heritage. ‘The Last Stylebender’ wasted no time stepping into the cage to engage in a face-off with Du Plessis. Seizing the microphone, Adesanya unleashed a barrage of sharp retorts in response to Du Plessis’ claims of being the ‘real African’.

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He boldly declared Du Plessis as his African brother while taunting him with the N-word, intensifying the verbal battle between the two. Du Plessis firmly rejected the notion of brotherhood, prompting Adesanya to challenge him to a DNA test to settle their origins. The heated exchange culminated in Du Plessis walking away while Adesanya continued to taunt him on the microphone.

“I’m African but I Ain’ No Brother of Yours Son” – Raged Israel Adesanya Throws Slurs at Dricus du Plessis as Dana White Makes On-the-Spot Title Fight for UFC 293

The intense face-off between Du Plessis and Adesanya escalated their rivalry, as Adesanya aims to defend his middleweight championship against the South African. This confrontation primed the stage for an upcoming title fight between Adesanya and Du Plessis, expected to headline UFC 293 in Sydney in September. The lead-up to the fight promises to be fierce and potentially contentious owing to the added narrative this fight holds now.

Dricus du Plessis Slams Israel Adesanya’s ‘Disgusting’ Move Into A Fight Buildup

Dricus du Plessis has criticized his rival, Israel Adesanya, for introducing race into their ongoing feud. The feud began when the Hatfield native boldly stated that he would be the first African UFC champion to reside on the continent. This sparked a war of words between the two fighters. In response, Adesanya brought race into the conversation, which disappointed du Plessis and led him to express his discontent in a recent interview with Shak MMA.

Disapproving Adesanya’s behavior, du Plessis said, “I think that, the fact that Israel Adesanya brought race into the conversation, that anybody brings race into a conversation like this, that was disgusting. I thought that was terrible. I thought that was taking a step backwards.” He continued, “I couldn’t believe it when I saw it… To be honest with you, I felt like the world of sports just took a step backwards. And that was ridiculous to make it about that.”

He further added, “I was really disappointed, and Adesanya as a champion has some sort of responsibility. I think, you know, for him saying that- it doesn’t offend me at all, I’m not offended at all, at any racial slurs that he called me. It doesn’t offend me. But the fact that that’s the example that he’s setting as a champion, that’s a little bit, you know, I don’t think that belongs to a champion’s character… But at the end of the day, I’m the guy that’s going to take the belt home to Africa, where I live.”

Dricus du Plessis Reveals Why He Turned Down Immediate Israel Adesanya Title Shot In Favor Of Robert Whittaker Fight At UFC 290

Now with a spectacular victory at UFC 290, du Plessis vs. Adesanya is on line officially. However, this fight could’ve happened quicker, but ‘Stillknocks’ took a different route. Speaking with Michael Bisping, the African fighter revealed what took place.

“He’s[Israel Adesanya] faced everybody. This fight could have happened…We could have had that fight, I know that for a fact. He wanted this fight. I obviously wanted the fight. But I am a martial artist and I am a warrior. And when the [Robert]Whittaker fight came as a, ‘Listen, are you interested in this?’ It wasn’t even a minute discussion. It was, ‘Oh yeah. Cool.'”, said Dricus du Plessis.

He further added. “Because, at the end of the day, I’m a fighter and I fight. And, with Adesanya, whether I fight him now, whether I fight him later, whether I fight Whittaker before I win that belt or after I win that belt, to me, it’s all the same. I wanna be the best in the world. Not by taking this fight or ducking this fight, or maybe say, ‘Eh, that’s a harder route.’ That’s not how legends and champions are made. They’re made by taking whatever comes and fighting. And that’s what this fight is.”

Dricus du Plessis Trolls Israel Adesanya’s Fluid Nationality

Dricus du Plessis stirred up a hornet’s nest with his desire to become the inaugural African champion to reside and fight in Africa. This statement faced severe backlash, particularly from Israel Adesanya, who lashed out at du Plessis as a result. ‘Stillknocks’ staunchly defended his remarks, asserting that he stands alone among African fighters in title contention, being the only one born, living, and training in Africa.

du Plessis said, “I’ve have never said the words ‘more African’ in my life. I didn’t say they were not African,” He added, “I stated facts. I am the only one in title contention, ever, who was born in Africa, lives in Africa, to reside in Africa and trains here every single day. That was my statement. Some people say, oh I am backpedaling. I never backpedaled. I’m sticking with that because that is the facts.”

While doing so, he highlighted Adesanya’s multiple nationalities and argued that his own success stems from his African roots. He continued, “Our rivalry, it seems to have struck a nerve with Israel Adesanya. Because, you know, it seems like, he likes to be whatever fits him best in terms of nationality. He’s referred to himself as a Kiwi, he’s referred to himself as Chinese, he’s referred to himself as a Nigerian. So, you know, at the end of the day, he’s born in Africa, he is African, but he does not reside here. That is the fact. That’s what makes me and him different.”

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