Dricus du Plessis retains his UFC middleweight world title
South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis bagged victory after defeating New Zealand’s Israel Adesanya on Sunday.
After a tense fight, the Mzansi professional fighter retained his UFC middleweight world title, when he choked out his opponent in the penultimate round.
The 30-year-old was accompanied into the Octagon by Springbok rugby stars Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth, with his country’s national anthem thundering around the venue.
The fighters exuded sportmanship after the fight, as they showed respect and love to themselves, which was seen in videos which has gone viral on social media.
“For me, [it was an honour] to share this Octagon with a legend. Not potentially, but 100% a hall of famer. This man has done so much for this sport,” Du Plessis said after the win.
“I’m really sorry that it came across that I disrespected the fact that he’s from Africa. That was never my intention. Tonight, Africa would have won regardless… but tonight South Africa was the victor,” he added.
Accepting the defeat, Adesanya said: “I’m disappointed, but at the same time I’m proud because this is the best I’ve felt and looked. I just had the better man on the night and I’ll give him respect for that.”
🚨💥#UFC305 DRICUS DU PLESSIS RESTE CHAMPION 🏆🔥#dricusduplessis #ufc pic.twitter.com/5jH5MAZTOF
— Westfighting (@West_fighting) August 18, 2024
From the bottom of my heart once again
THANK YOU @Drake 🤣 pic.twitter.com/bcSiOjGezd— Dricus Du Plessis (@dricusduplessis) August 18, 2024
