“If you knew anything about living in Africa…” Dricus Du Plessis takes a dig at Israel Adesanya for not understanding VISA troubles

Visa issues caused Dricus Du Plessis' UFC 293 absence. Du Plessis is currently recovering from a leg injury.

“If you knew anything about living in Africa…” Dricus Du Plessis takes a dig at Israel Adesanya for not understanding VISA troubles

Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya (Image via Imago)

Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya have one of the most heated beefs in the UFC. The main reason for the rivalry resulted from Du Plessis questioning the African heritage of Adesanya. The rivalry reached a boiling point at UFC 290 after Du Plessis defeated Robert Whitaker.

Fight fans and analysts made a big issue out of Du Plessis not attending UFC 293. He explained his absence in his recent interview with Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour. He said, “If you knew anything about living in Africa, You would realize what it takes to get a visa to Australia.” Adesanya had already made a big deal of the South African’s absence. Du Plessis’ comments were directly aimed at Israel Adesanya. With Adesanya losing the title to Sean Strickland at UFC 293, the South African would be hoping to be Strickland’s first title defense.

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Du Plessis was the original opponent for Adesanya at UFC 293. Adesanya and his coach, Eugene Bareman, were univocal in criticizing the South African for pulling out due to injury. Dana White also trashed Du Plessis for pulling out of the fight. Even Chael Sonnen doubted the extent of “Stillknocks” injury. Strickland winning the title opened up the division.

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Jared Cannonier is clamoring for a title shot since he weighed in as the backup fighter. “Killa Gorilla” holds a victory over Strickland, albeit via a controversial split decision. Khamzat Chimaev and Paulo Costa also have an opportunity. Chimaev and Costa will face each other in the co-main event of UFC 294.

Robert Whitaker would destroy the UFC 293 version of Israel Adesanya according to Dricus Du Plessis

Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya
Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya, (Image via Imago)

Dricus Du Plessis did not believe he saw the best version of Israel Adesanya at UFC 293. Du Plessis even went further, saying he and Robert Whitaker would destroy the Adesanya that fought Strickland.

Like everybody else, Du Plessis did not expect Strickland to win. The South African also said the fight would have been over in the first round if he fought against Adesanya. Interestingly, Du Plessis was impressed by Sean Strickland’s defense against Adesanya’s leg kicks. He also praised the champion’s forward pressure. However, the South African claimed that the former champion did not show up that night.

Du Plessis is aiming for a title shot against Strickland. He will keep his rivalry with Adesanya aside to win the title. The South African values the title more than his beef with Adesanya.

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