New UFC Middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis has expressed his desire to face Israel Adesanya in a UFC 300 showdown after securing a narrow split decision victory over Sean Strickland at UFC 297 in Canada. Du Plessis called out the former UFC Middleweight champion after his recent win.
In the octagon post-fight, Dricus Du Plessis called out Adesanya as he said, “There was another guy who tried to take my shine. He lost his shine, now I have your shine. He didn’t get into the cage tonight, but Israel Adesanya, get your ass back in the cage so we can settle the score.”
Dricus Du Plessis calls out Israel Adesanya after beating Sean Strickland pic.twitter.com/4UurylJWhL
— Best MMA Moments (@XcellentMMA) January 21, 2024
Dricus Du Plessis wants to fight Israel Adesanya for the fans
The South African emphasized that it’s not personal and that he wants to give the fans the fight they desire. Du Plessis, after his victory over Strickland, expressed his readiness for a bout against Adesanya, stating, “It’s nothing personal towards him, if it sounded like that. I didn’t mean it that way, I meant it as ‘that’s what the fans want to see,’ I want to give the fans the fight. I fight for the fans, I go out there and I do my job. If the fans want Izzy… that’s the fight I want.”
The proposed matchup between Dricus Du Plessis and Adesanya was originally scheduled for September in Sydney but did not materialize because of Du Plessis’s injury. Strickland stepped in as a replacement and caused an upset by defeating Adesanya and becoming the UFC Middleweight champion.
When Israel Adesanya confronted Dricus Du Plessis pic.twitter.com/oPUCv5A6qX
— Best MMA Moments (@XcellentMMA) January 20, 2024
Israel Adesanya responds
Adesanya responded to Dricus Du Plessis’ call-out on social media, posting a clip of the call-out and writing on his Instagram story, “Never stole shine. Never lost mine!!” In another post, he added, “This arc in my story was written long ago. Our paths are destined to cross again. Stay tuned for the next episode, thanks for watching. We Write History.”
Israel Adesanya feels "destined to cross" with Dricus du Plessis 👀 #UFC297 pic.twitter.com/HjukfTN7CI
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) January 21, 2024
It seems that Israel Adesanya is open to the matchup, and the potential fight could take place at UFC 300. Dricus Du Plessis, despite the fierce encounter with Strickland, conveyed respect for his opponent, acknowledging Strickland’s toughness and expressing gratitude for bringing out the best in him.
As the anticipation builds for a potential clash between Du Plessis and Adesanya, fans will be eagerly awaiting official confirmation and details for UFC 300, where the two fighters could settle their score in the octagon.
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