“You have the torch” – Israel Adesanya opens up about UFC 305 title loss after emotional moment backstage with Dricus Du Plessis

Israel Adesanya removed his gloves while standing in the cage moments after his first submission loss. As Dricus Du Plessis‘ victory speech echoed throughout the RAC Arena, hardcore trained eyes in attendance waited for the bad news. Izzy’s wrists were just worn from the UFC 305 pay-per-view (PPV) title scrap. He’s not retiring any soon. More to it, he’s thankful for all the ordeal so far.

Dricus Du Plessis defeated Israel Adesanya via submission (rear-naked choke) – R4 at the 3:38 mark. The build-up to Saturday’s main event was tense, with trash talk around their African beginnings. The Nigerian-born Kiwi has had quite a heated beef in recent times based on race and ethnicity. Afterward, though, it was all respects between the two warriors.

I’m happy I got to fight again, appreciate all the energy from yous. Congrats @dricusduplessis, thank you for your honest words and speaking your truth. No matter what, Africa won tonight! DDP, you have the torch…light the fire and inspire!

Israel Adesanya via X (@stylebender)

For the first time in his MMA career, Adesanya is coming off a loss in back-to-back fights. His last win was a knockout of current lightweight champion Alex Pereira at UFC 287. A big believer in manifesting the journey, Izzy was bummed about losing but told the media scrum that this was more about him ending his hiatus. During the UFC 305 Media Day conference, many tense insults were flying based on their particular origins. However, post-fight, DDP and Izzy embraced each other and their families.

Du Plessis improves to 8-0 in the UFC while making the first defense of his middleweight title. He earned the undisputed gold with a win over Sean Strickland at the UFC 297 PPV headliner in January. There’s some new buzz and build-up about that rematch going on. Meanwhile, DDP also talked about his side of the reconciliation with Izzy.

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After his win, Dricus Du Plessis tried to bury the hatchet with ‘Stylebender’ in his post-fight interview, as the South African apologized for any offense. Quarreling about their ‘true African’ origins, the middleweight champ had made some connotations about his family. However, he says those were instigating the build-up and not aiming particularly at his family.

Du Plessis even presented Israel Adesanya with the custom-made South Africa-themed jacket he wore at the press conference. With ‘Stylebender’ loving the gesture – raising DDP’s hand. Du Plessis then took a moment to speak with Adesanya’s family. While much of it is not audible, one can hear ‘Stillknocks’ thanking them for “raising a warrior.”

Let me tell you this, at the end of the day, what I said was never to challenge Israel or any other African fighter on being the first African fighter…I never went after family, so I just said after the fight [that] if it sounded like I was saying anything bad about your parents, that was not the case....I will never disrespect your parents, and he said he understands that...

Dricus Du Plessis during UFC 305 post-fight conference interviews

DDP also told the UFC 305 media scrum that even though they disagreed, there was no way they couldn’t bury the hatchet after such a war. More to it, he lauded the future Hall of Famer Izzy. The former two-time 185-pound champ has seemingly also accepted this as a true African win after all.

In case you missed it:

• Sean Strickland still champion in eyes of Eric Nicksick; demands winner of UFC 305 next
• UFC’s attempt to ‘WIPE’ Francis Ngannou’s history doesn’t sit well with Israel Adesanya 

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