“They summoned me,” Israel Adesanya reveals secret talks with Dana White’s promotion to headline UFC 300; claims rival Dricus Du Plessis turned down title fight

Israel Adesanya alleged Dricus Du Plessis of snubbing and hiding away from him.

“They summoned me,” Israel Adesanya reveals secret talks with Dana White’s promotion to headline UFC 300; claims rival Dricus Du Plessis turned down title fight

Israel Adesanya alleges Dricus Du Plessis of declining to fight him (via Imago)

The headliner for UFC 300 saw many top talents considered for the spot. The UFC eventually booked a title fight featuring Jamahal Hill and Alex Pereira as the main event. Israel Adesanya vs. Dricus Du Plessis also remained in consideration. The former UFC middleweight champion recently revealed that he was offered a title fight against Dricus Du Plessis. 

According to Adesanya, Du Plessis and his team turned down the fight. Adesanya claimed UFC officials contacted him about headlining the April 13th event. He immediately agreed, but the champion’s side declined the bout. Adesanya believed Du Plessis likely needed more recovery time after his grueling five-round war against Sean Strickland at UFC 297. This is what he said:

They summoned me, I’m sure this is out there now … but they summoned me for [UFC] 300 and I was like ‘yep, let’s roll.’ But their [Dricus’s] side didn’t want it. They didn’t want it.
Israel Adesanya via Theo Von’s Podcast
YouTube video

The quick turnaround after defeating Strickland in January remained unlikely due to Du Plessis’s facial injuries. Unlike Du Plessis, Israel Adesanya pointed out he fought through injuries many times. It’s unclear what the future holds for Adesanya after the failed negotiations. Du Plessis also seems intent on facing “The Last Stylebender” in his first title defense. Both men have pushed for the bout to take place in Africa.

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Adesanya and Du Plessis are definitely on a collision course. Adesanya is eager to regain the belt he lost to Strickland last year. Meanwhile, Du Plessis wants to solidify himself as the division’s undisputed king for a long time.

Israel Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis’ ongoing rivalry

The rivalry between Israel Adesanya and Du Plessis has remained heated for some time now. Du Plessis captured the belt by narrowly outpointing Sean Strickland at UFC 297. He called for a showdown with Adesanya during his post-fight interview. Their fight was anticipated for a while but failed to materialize last year.

Israel Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis share an intense rivalry
Israel Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis share an intense rivalry (via Newshub)

Injuries forced Du Plessis out of a title shot against Adesanya in September. Strickland stepped in and shocked the world by dethroning “The Last Stylebender.” Adesanya and Du Plessis share an intense rivalry. It began with trash talk and featured a heated faceoff after Du Plessis defeated Robert Whittaker. Their eventual clash will have high stakes along with personal animosity.

Both men were born in Africa before embarking on MMA careers. Adesanya is the biggest star ever from Nigeria. Meanwhile, Du Plessis holds the distinction as South Africa’s most famous fighter.

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