Former UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has announced his showdown with current champion, Dricus du Plessis, set for August 17 at UFC 305 in Australia at the RAC Arena.
Originally, Conor McGregor and Robert Whittaker were slated to headline the event. However, Nigerian-born Adesanya took to social media on Monday to reveal the much-anticipated bout, posting a graphic of himself and du Plessis. He wrote, “The sun of Africa is the same sun that lights up our planet. The sun will set and rise again until you walk into it. The sun, enjoy while it shines. Darkness falls when it’s gone.”
Adesanya’s announcement comes ahead of any official confirmation from the UFC or its president, Dana White, though an official statement is expected soon.
Previously, du Plessis was set to face Adesanya last year at UFC 293 in Sydney but suffered a leg injury during training camp, paving the way for Sean Strickland to step in. Strickland pulled off a major upset, taking the title from Adesanya. Upon his return from injury, du Plessis defeated Strickland in January, setting the stage for a clash with Adesanya, known as ‘The Last Stylebender.’
The fight on August 17 promises to be a massive pay-per-view event, featuring an intense all-African matchup. Both fighters are vying for the title of “true African champion,” adding extra heat to their rivalry.
