Du Plessis or Adesanya: Who is the first true African UFC champion?

The focus in the UFC world will be tuned into the action at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia as UFC 305 gets underway on Saturday.

It’s one of the biggest cards assembled in the current year, with the former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya returning to the cage to take on the division’s champion Dricus Du Plessis.

Adesanya took a break from the sport after losing the title to Sean Strickland last September, while the South African fighter became the middleweight king after beating the American via split decision in January.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s fight, the 30-year-old South African stated: “I’ve had a couple of proper fight weeks, but now I’m champion, “It feels great. For me, it’s not very different. In terms of media scheduling, training, everything is the same. I have a recipe; it’s been working great.” And that’s the thing about Du Plessis – he’s got this unshakable belief in his process.

The Pretoria born fighter is ready for whatever Adesanya throws at him, and he’s not planning on letting the fight go the distance. “If the Izzy shows up that we’ve been seeing, I’ll be able to get him out of there in three rounds, for sure,” he predicts. Du Plessis is more than ready to defend his title.

Back home in South Africa, Du Plessis is more than just a fighter; he’s a symbol of pride. His country has been with him every step of the way, even when they couldn’t physically make the 24-hour trek to Toronto to watch him claim the title at UFC 297. “They wanted me to win just as bad as I wanted myself to win,” he reflects, the emotion clear in his voice. “That’s our country. We’re so proud of our country and when we achieve something.” It’s clear that for Du Plessis, it’s about more than just personal glory. He’s carrying the hopes of a nation every time he steps into the Octagon.

Biggest challenge

Now, with the belt firmly around his waist, Du Plessis faces his toughest test yet in Lagos born Israel Adesanya, a two-time middleweight champion and one of the greatest fighters the sport has ever seen. Adesanya’s resume reads like a who’s who of MMA legends, and a win over “The Last Stylebender” would solidify Du Plessis’ place at the top of the middleweight division. “His career can’t be argued,” Du Plessis acknowledges. “He’s one of the greatest fighters ever. Not in the middleweight division, not in the UFC, but in MMA, one of the best to ever do it.”

Full screen

Their rivalry has been simmering for years, coming to a boil at UFC 290 when Du Plessis took down Robert Whittaker to earn his shot at the title. Adesanya, then the reigning champ, watched from the stands, and the tension between them was palpable. They’ve locked eyes a couple of times since, most notably at a UFC 305 press conference where they stared each other down for what felt like an eternity. But Du Plessis insists it’s all business. “It’s never, ever personal,” he says. “It never has been, and it never will be. There’s nothing that can be said, there’s nothing that can be done that’s going to have an effect on me, mentally or emotionally.”