Israel Adesanya, the former UFC middleweight champion, reacted to the brawl between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 296. The altercation took place at the seasonal press conference before escalating into a physical confrontation at the event itself. Adesanya, who lost his title to Strickland at UFC 293, found amusement in the situation, particularly highlighting the contrast between the fighters’ behavior inside and outside the octagon.
Strickland, who is set to defend his title against Du Plessis at UFC 297, initiated the brawl by attacking Du Plessis in the crowd. The rivalry between Strickland and Du Plessis had already been fueled during the UFC 296 fight week. Adesanya expressed his amusement at the spectacle, noting the irony of fighters engaging in physical altercations outside the ring after criticizing others for their behavior.
Adesanya shared his thoughts on the incident, highlighting the verbal exchanges and the physical confrontation. He also mentioned Strickland’s previous controversial comments, adding a touch of humor to the situation. Despite losing his title, Adesanya remains engaged in the MMA scene and appreciates the entertainment value of the ongoing feuds and controversies within the sport.