“Color is not a topic of discussion,” South African fighter shuts down ‘racism’ claims amidst dispute with Israel Adesanya
South African Fighter Dricus Du Plessis shuts down Ariel Helwani when he asked the fighter if race plays any part in his beef with Israel Adesanya
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Dricus Du Plessis shuts down any indication of racial hatred in an interview with Ariel Helwani (Image Courtesy - MMA Fighting)
UFC Middleweight Dricus Du Plessis went on the MMA Hour to speak with Ariel Helwani about his ‘beef’ with Israel Adesanya. The veteran Journalist Helwani took the opportunity to ask a question about ‘race’ referencing the turbulent racial history in Africa. However, Dricus Du Plessis shut him down immediately.
Du Plessis said, “Well, to bring colour into this is the most ridiculous thing ever. That is one thing from the whole thing that really pissed me off to be honest. I have never even mentioned colour because it makes absolutely no difference to me. Colour is not a topic of discussion, and if anybody is bringing in colour, any form of race in anyway, for me that is ridiculous. This is a sport; this is fighting.”
Ariel Helwani is known for stirring things up in the MMA media. In the past, legendary fighter Nick Diaz criticised Helwani for trying to instigate fights. Du Plessis remained calm despite the race-baiting question and answered it to dispel any indication that his criticism of Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya was based on their race.
Du Plessis also makes up good points that racial tension has no place in sports, especially not in combat sports. In his call-outs and criticism towards Israel Adesanya, he has not mentioned one word about colour in any way. The interaction between Helwani and Du Plessis remains an example of how Dana White says that the MMA media stirs things up between the fighters.
Dricus Du Plessis defeated Derek Brunson with only 8 percent Oxygen
At UFC 285, the South African fighter took on veteran Middleweight Derek Brunson in an all-out war. Both fighters had moments in the fight, but ultimately, in the second round, Du Plessis took over, and Brunson’s corner threw in the towel to stop the fight.
However, most fight fans and analysts failed to understand that he was fighting with only 8 per cent of Oxygen intake. His coach recently revealed that Du Plessis went against nose surgery and was gambling on his fight career. Despite the difficulty, he has defeated the likes of Brunson, Brad Tavares and Darren Till in those encounters.
He recently underwent nose surgery and informed the fans that the surgery succeeded. Fight fans indicated their happiness on the news and hoped Du Plessis could fight for his next fights at full potential.
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Nidhin Shibu
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