Israel Adesanya’s reign as middleweight champion has just been four days, but the fighter has already faced multiple challenges from rivals who want to confront him for the belt. Now the title holder has received another strong warning, this time from Dricus Du Plessis’ coach rather than any fighter.
With a spectacular victory over Derek Brunson at the T-Mobile Arena facility in Paradise, Nevada, Las Vegas Metropolitan Area, earlier in March, Dricus Du Plessis had his sights set on a title fight against the winner of Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya’s rematch.
What did Dricus Du Plessis’s coach say to Israel Adesanya?
Dricus Du Plessis’ coach, Morne Visser joined the ongoing online debate between his fighter and The Last Stylebender on Instagram. The South African fighter allegedly got into a dispute with Izzy, stating that he is the only authentic African fighter in the division at the moment.
“We will take the belt from you in August this year and if you are still in the game you can come and try to take it back in South Africa when the UFC comes to South Africa,” said Morne.
So you won’t say my name, that’s smart you better not.
I don’t need your airtime at all, I have my whole continent of AFRICA behind me.
Go enjoy your very spectacular victory at home in New Zealand .
We are Africa we fear nothing.#stillknocks #greenandgold🇿🇦 #proudlyafrican pic.twitter.com/QxpPIuF2Gn— Dricus Du Plessis (@dricusduplessis) April 10, 2023
Although ‘Stillknocks’ is a relatively new name in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the former middleweight champion of the Extreme Fighting Championship has already established himself as a strong opponent in the UFC. The 29-year-old fighter faced Markus Perez in his professional debut in October 2020. Plessis won five straight fights after that and is now prepared to take a shot at the title.
“As proven Dricus “the real African with a African passport” finishes careers like in his last 3 fights in the UFC with only 8% oxygen. JUST IMAGINE WHAT HE IS GOING TO DO TO YOU the NEW ZEALANDER with a full gas tank,” Morne added.
Dricus Du Plessis claps back at the champ pic.twitter.com/pGDkj714s1
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) April 10, 2023
Adesanya has already defeated six of the top eight middleweight contenders, most recently Alex Pereira in the UFC 287 event at Miami’s Miami-Dade Arena. Plessis is one of the two fighters who hasn’t faced the Nigeria-born fighter in the octagon.
Imagine Israel Adesanya vs Dricus Du Plessis, in Africa 👀 pic.twitter.com/vy4QLo1oFL
— Kevin Thang (@Skip2MyJays) April 9, 2023
Do you believe Dricus Du Plessis will get a shot at the title anytime soon? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section.
