In a riveting revelation, Israel Adesanya opened a chapter of his storied rivalry with Dricus Du Plessis, sharing exclusive sparring footage from 2016 over the weekend. This captivating footage showcases a chance collision between the two fighters, hinting at the origin of a UFC rivalry that is set to take center stage.
Du Plessis, fresh off his middleweight title victory against Sean Strickland at UFC 297, claimed the crown four months after Strickland stunned the MMA world by dethroning Adesanya. The unexpected turn of events had Adesanya initially slated to defend his title against Du Plessis in September, only to be replaced by Strickland due to an injury suffered by the South African contender. However, patience proved to be a virtue for Du Plessis, as he emerged as South Africa’s inaugural UFC champion on that memorable Saturday night.
The anticipation for a showdown between Adesanya and Du Plessis intensified when the former champion unleashed an explosive tirade at Du Plessis last July. This confrontation occurred in the aftermath of Du Plessis’s surprise TKO of Robert Whittaker, where Adesanya took issue with the claim that Du Plessis aimed to become the first UFC champion based in Africa.
Addressing the potential bout on Sunday (21 January), Adesanya cryptically stated, “This arc in my story was written long ago. Our paths are destined to cross again. Stay tuned for the next episode, thanks for watching. We Write History.” Accompanying his words was a revealing clip from the 2016 sparring session, capturing the accidental collision between Adesanya and Du Plessis.
✨IS~RA~EL 🐉 ADÉSÀNYÀ‼️
This arc in my story was written long ago. Our paths are destined to cross again. Stay tuned for the next episode, thanks for watching.
We Write History ✨✍🏾 pic.twitter.com/c5EHGWBjlL
— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) January 21, 2024
In addition to the sparring footage, Adesanya generously shared moments from his in-ring confrontation with Du Plessis and curated highlights from his illustrious career. This multimedia approach adds layers to the narrative, providing fans with a comprehensive view of the evolving feud.
Despite Du Plessis’s remarkable achievement as the fourth African champion in UFC history, Adesanya remains undeterred in his pursuit to reclaim the throne. Expressing genuine happiness for his “African brother,” Adesanya acknowledged Du Plessis’s story but made it clear that he’s still determined to “test that ass.”
As a former two-time champion, Adesanya’s journey, marked by title victories and defeats, adds a compelling backdrop to the potential clash with Du Plessis. Following a brief hiatus from MMA, Adesanya is expected to return to action in the latter half of 2024, setting the stage for a monumental matchup.
While Du Plessis eagerly welcomed a bout against the “Last Stylebender” at UFC 300 in April, the event may come too soon for Adesanya, leaving fans in suspense as they await the unfolding of this epic chapter in UFC history.
KAIRA’S VIEW
In this gripping narrative, the sparring footage unveiled by Israel Adesanya paints a vivid picture of the origins of his intense UFC rivalry with Dricus Du Plessis. Through social media, Adesanya shared a glimpse of their collision in 2016, setting the stage for a monumental clash. Du Plessis, now South Africa’s first UFC champion, patiently earned his title after Strickland’s upset over Adesanya. Adesanya’s expected return in 2024 adds anticipation to this saga, showcasing the human side of fighters, their stories, and the unwritten chapters awaiting in the octagon.
