In a highly anticipated matchup at UFC 290, South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis emerged victorious over Australia’s Robert Whittaker, earning himself a shot at the UFC Middleweight title. Du Plessis will now face off against current champion Israel Adesanya in a fiery grudge bout scheduled for UFC 293 in Sydney this September.
Following his win, Du Plessis and Adesanya engaged in an intense face-to-face confrontation inside the octagon. However, the post-fight exchange took an unexpected turn as Adesanya repeatedly used offensive language, including the N-word, during their interaction.
Addressing the incident during the post-fight news conference, Du Plessis expressed his disappointment with Adesanya’s behavior, stating, “He’s behaving like a clown in there. That’s not how a champion behaves. That’s not at all how a man behaves. He’s behaving like a child.”
Du Plessis emphasized the importance of conducting oneself with dignity and setting a positive example, especially when there are people looking up to them. He pledged to sell tickets in his own way, with his focus on maintaining his integrity and displaying true sportsmanship. “I’m a gentleman, I’m a man, and I’ll behave like a man,” he asserted.
Fans can anticipate an electrifying showdown between Adesanya and Du Plessis on September 10 at UFC 293 in Sydney, Australia. As the middleweight title hangs in the balance, this highly anticipated clash promises to captivate audiences and showcase the talent and determination of both fighters.