Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya had an intense faceoff following the UFC 305 on-sale press conference, setting the stage for their highly anticipated bout. The main event on August 17 at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, will feature a clash between the two middleweight champions.
During the faceoff, the tension was palpable as Du Plessis (21-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) and Adesanya (24-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) exchanged words. Du Plessis later revealed the brief conversation to Submission Radio. “I think he said, ‘Don’t kiss me,'” Du Plessis recounted. “As far as I know, he said, ‘Don’t go kissing me now.’ I responded, ‘I’m no dog, so I won’t.’ I wasn’t really focused on what he was saying. I didn’t say anything. The date is set. There’s no need to be saying anything.”
Adesanya, 34, has not fought since losing the 185-pound belt to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 in September. He has stated that his upcoming fight with Du Plessis is not about reclaiming the title. However, Du Plessis believes Adesanya might be dealing with some mental vulnerability ahead of their grudge match.
“In terms of the demeanor, I can feel this man is trying to convince himself that he still wants to be here,” Du Plessis said. “He has done so much in the sport and he says it’s not about titles anymore. He will never get what he had again. There’s not enough time. You know, the winning streak. He has done what he was going to do in the sport in terms of legacy.”
Du Plessis suggested that Adesanya’s focus seems to be shifting away from the sport. “Right now, he’s talking about so much outside of the sport instead of talking about what’s going on in the sport,” Du Plessis observed. “In my opinion, this is him trying to show or convince himself that he still wants to do this, that he still has what it takes. But I’m here to show him that he’s not. It’s fine. Take your time and enjoy your golf. I’m the new champion, and I’m new king of this division, and I’m going to make sure he knows that.”
The tension between Du Plessis and Adesanya adds an extra layer of excitement to their upcoming bout, with both fighters eager to prove themselves in the octagon.
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