In the lead-up to the momentous UFC 300 event scheduled for April 13, UFC officials were in a frenzy to secure the most significant matchup to headline the historic card. Recently, revealed that UFC offered him a showdown against reigning middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis, potentially making it the marquee event for UFC 300.
However, despite Adesanya’s acceptance of the fight, he disclosed that du Plessis and his team ultimately declined the offer.
Adesanya shared this information during an appearance on Theo Von’s podcast, stating, “They summoned me for UFC 300 and I was like ‘yep, let’s roll.’ But their side didn’t want it. They didn’t want it.”
The timing for the proposed fight likely posed a challenge, considering du Plessis’s recent grueling five-round battle with Sean Strickland at UFC 297 in January. Adesanya acknowledged this factor, noting that du Plessis may have been dealing with injuries following his previous fight.
This scenario echoes du Plessis’s missed opportunity for a title shot after defeating former champion Robert Whittaker last July. A foot injury prevented him from facing Adesanya two months later, with Strickland ultimately stepping in and securing the championship.
Despite facing injuries throughout his career, Adesanya emphasized his commitment to competing, stating, “I’ve fought injured for the last how many fights… It just happens through training.”
While Adesanya and du Plessis remain on a collision course for a potential future bout, the anticipated matchup at UFC 300 will not materialize. Both fighters continue to express interest in facing each other, particularly in Africa, but the exact date and location for their showdown are yet to be determined.
As the UFC 300 event approaches, fans eagerly await the announcement of the headline fight, which will undoubtedly be a significant moment in mixed martial arts history.
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