UFC 287 was a night to remember for fight fans, with jaw-dropping finishes and unforgettable moments. But it was Israel Adesanya who stole the show in the main event, as he reclaimed his title in spectacular fashion.
After knocking out Alex Pereira in a rematch of their UFC 281 bout, Adesanya had a lot to say in his post-match interview, leaving fans buzzing with speculation.
Clashing Titans: Adesanya’s Fiery Callout Sparks Speculation for Epic Showdown with Du Plessis in UFC
Fans on social media had mixed reactions to Adesanya’s interview. Twitter user @MMAJunkie speculated on a potential matchup between Jesse Rodriguez and Khamzat, while @TwoToneTony9 argued that Adesanya’s previous victory over Volkanovski was due to luck.
Watched every ppv since UFC 12. Do you think Izzy has better grappling the khamzat?
— Jmcla (@Joshmcla45) April 9, 2023
However, many fans were intrigued by the possibility of a showdown between Adesanya and Du Plessis, with some eagerly anticipating the potential clash of styles and the chance for Adesanya to “whoop” Du Plessis’ ass and teach him some “history.”
https://twitter.com/TwoToneTony9/status/1644960092360699905?s=20
Adesanya didn’t hold back in his interview, taking shots at his opponent and even trolling Pereira’s son. However, it was his comments about a mystery opponent that got everyone talking. “Look, fck I don’t wanna give this n**a no clout. I wanna whoop his ass so bad,” Adesanya exclaimed.
“I’ll remind you because you gotta choose your words wisely when you speak on people that have come before you, people that paved the way for you. I pray to God he keeps winning. I will gladly drag his carcass across South Africa”
While Adesanya didn’t reveal the name of the fighter he was referring to, fans were quick to speculate. With only a few fighters in the middleweight division fitting the description, many believe that Adesanya was calling out Dricus Du Plessis, the South African fighter who recently made waves with a statement win over Derek Brunson at UFC 285.
Fire and Fury: Israel Adesanya Targets Controversial UFC Fighter Dricus Du Plessis for Next Showdown
Du Plessis has been on an impressive streak in the UFC, with five straight wins, four of them by finishes. His inflammatory remarks regarding “African” champions at the UFC 285 media day, on the other hand, drew fire from many, including former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.
Adesanya’s fiery post-match interview has only fueled the speculation that he has his sights set on Du Plessis for his next opponent.
Adesanya’s taunting of a mystery opponent has added an extra layer of excitement to the already thrilling world of UFC. As fans eagerly await the announcement of Adesanya’s next opponent, one thing is for sure – when it comes to mind games and callouts, Adesanya knows how to deliver a knockout punch both inside and outside the Octagon.
