Former middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has emphasized that defeating Dricus Du Plessis in their upcoming bout at UFC 305 means more to him than reclaiming the UFC title.
Adesanya, who has been away from the Octagon for nearly a year, is set to face the South African fighter on August 17th in Perth, Australia, in a fight that has become deeply personal for the Nigerian-born athlete.
“It’s not just about the belt,” Adesanya said during the UFC 305 Countdown show. “Beating Dricus is more important to me than getting the title back. This fight is about history and proving a point.”
The rivalry between Adesanya and Du Plessis has escalated over the past year, fueled by a debate over who is the rightful “true” African champion. This narrative has added an extra layer of intensity to their upcoming clash.
Adesanya’s last fight was a surprising loss to Sean Strickland, where he was outclassed in a one-sided decision. The defeat was a major setback for Adesanya, who had previously been one of the most dominant middleweight champions in UFC history. However, the loss also motivated him to refocus on his next challenge, which he sees as more than just a title fight.
“For me, it’s about beating warriors from different backgrounds, different nations,” Adesanya said. “Fighters like Dricus, taking them out, putting them on my record, and moving on to the next one. That’s what it’s about.”
During his time away from the sport, Adesanya has been bulking up and recovering from injuries, preparing for his return to the Octagon.
