Israel adesanya e Dricus Du Plessis in the octagon of UFC 290 (Photo: Instagram/UFC)
The press conference of UFC 305, which featured fury, tears and a intense stare, was just another chapter in a years-long rivalry between Dricus Du Plessis e Israel adesanya, which, this Saturday (17), in the main fight of the UFC 305, share the octagon for the first time in a fight for the middleweight belt (up to 83,9 kg). But where did such disaffection between the protagonists of the event come from?
The first contact between the two took place in 2014, during shared training in Thailand. At the time, the South African was still starting his MMA career in his home country, while the Nigerian divided his attention between professional kickboxing and MMA events in China.
The rivalry, however, began about nine years later, in 2023, when Dricus Du Plessis, after defeating Derek Brunson No. UFC 285, questioned whether Israel adesanya, Francis Ngannou e Kamaru Usman they would be 'true African champions', as they reside and train outside the continent, while he still lives in South Africa.
The South African's statement was not at all well accepted by the Nigerian, who promised to 'drag Du Plessis' carcass around South Africa', even though the disaffection was not necessarily in the 'cake' for a title fight.
The rivalry began months later, in UFC 290. After knocking out Robert whittaker in the biggest victory of his career and securing a title shot, Du Plessis saw Adesanya, who had recently regained the belt against Alex Poatán, go up to the octagon and say unfriendly words towards him. The two had a heated exchange, setting the tone for what was to come.
An injury suffered by the South African, however, prevented the UFC's plans to pit the two against each other weeks after the conflict. Instead, the then champion ended up facing and being defeated by Sean Strickland. Months later, Du Plessis beat the American in a close fight and became middleweight champion, opening a new path for the rivalry to be put to the test.
This Saturday (17), in Perth, Australia, Dricus Du Plessis e Israel adesanya they will finally be able to take the rivalry into the octagon, officially, and define, if not who is the real 'King of Africa' in the UFC, at least who is the organization's middleweight champion.
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