Israel Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis
“I Did Manhandle Him”- Dricus du Plessis Claims To Have Dominated Israel Adesanya in Training Session
In a stunning revelation, Dricus du Plessis has boldly refuted Israel Adesanya’s claims of training dominance, asserting that he was the one who got the better of the UFC middleweight champion during their sparring session back in 2014. The ongoing rivalry between the two fighters has now taken an intriguing turn, as du Plessis sheds light on their training dynamics and fuels anticipation for a potential clash in the future.
During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Adesanya recounted their training session in Thailand, highlighting how du Plessis had the upper hand in grappling exchanges while Adesanya showcased his striking prowess. However, du Plessis, in an exclusive conversation with The Schmo, vehemently contested Adesanya’s narrative, stating,
“I did manhandle him and you know grappling and wrestling exchanges but we did not do a single round of striking together not one and I mean that was his way of saving himself saying ‘No but I beat him in the striking.’ We never did striking together, not one round. When we sport, we did it. We grappled, and we wrestled. We never did one single round of striking together, not as far as I know, and that’s something you would remember.”
According to du Plessis, the sparring session primarily focused on grappling and wrestling, with no rounds dedicated to striking. He emphatically asserts that there was no opportunity for Adesanya to claim victory in the striking department, as they never engaged in a single round of striking together. This contradiction in their recollections adds fuel to the already simmering rivalry between the two fighters.
The animosity between Adesanya and du Plessis extends beyond their training session. Du Plessis previously questioned Adesanya’s African heritage, challenging the authenticity of his connection to the continent. He argued that Adesanya, along with Kamaru Usman and Francis Ngannou, cannot truly be considered Africans since they have not brought their belts to Africa nor do they live or train there. This heated debate has further fueled their bitter rivalry, intensifying the anticipation for a potential clash inside the octagon.
With du Plessis currently preparing to face former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker, a victory could pave the way for a title shot against Adesanya. The surging middleweight fighter boasts an impressive record of 19 victories with only two losses, instilling him with confidence to dismantle any opponent in his path.
As the tensions rise and the war of words continues, fans eagerly await the outcome of du Plessis’ upcoming bout against Whittaker, which could set the stage for a long-awaited showdown between du Plessis and Adesanya. The prospect of witnessing two formidable fighters with a burning desire to establish their superiority promises an electrifying spectacle for MMA enthusiasts around the world.
Israel Adesanya, the reigning Middleweight champion of the UFC, has made his intentions clear ahead of UFC 290, scheduled to take place on July 8, 2023. Adesanya will be closely watching the Middleweight contender bout between Robert Whittaker and Dricus Du Plessis, as the winner will determine Adesanya’s next title challenger.
Adesanya has been targeting a fight with Du Plessis ever since the rising contender made comments about African champions in the UFC. Despite some back-and-forth exchanges regarding their statements, Adesanya believes Du Plessis needs to prove himself against the tough former champion from Australia, Whittaker, who Adesanya defeated to win the title in 2019.
In a recent interview with The MMA Hour, Adesanya expressed his confidence in Du Plessis, stating, “I’m going to manifest [Du Plessis] winning this fight in the first round, and when he does, I’m going to be right there in the cage so he can turn around in September.” Adesanya also dismissed any potential excuses from Whittaker, emphasizing his determination to fight Du Plessis in Sydney in September.
Addressing the controversy surrounding their previous exchanges, Adesanya clarified his stance, saying, “I never questioned his ethnicity. I never said he’s not African.” Adesanya took issue with Du Plessis’ remarks about African heritage, stating, “How the f—k are you going to question me, Francis [Ngannou], and Kamaru [Usman’s] blackness or African-ness? Who the f—k are you?” Adesanya further stressed his own knowledge of his heritage and identity, expressing his desire to educate Du Plessis on the matter.
Looking ahead to the potential fight, Adesanya discussed his previous training experience with Du Plessis, stating, “Funny enough, we’ve trained together before. I whooped his ass.” Adesanya acknowledged Du Plessis’ wrestling skills but remained confident in his ability to outperform him in the Octagon.
While Du Plessis is currently considered the underdog, Adesanya believes in his capabilities and has faith in his own manifesting abilities. He concluded by saying, “It’s going to be first round, Dricus, f—k him (Whittaker) up, somehow, by some magic, some juju. We’ll make it happen. Really, I’ll pray on this and make it happen.”
UFC 293 is scheduled to take place in Australia on September 10, 2023. The hope is that the winner of the Whittaker vs. Du Plessis bout will be ready to face Adesanya in a highly anticipated showdown.
With Adesanya’s strong determination and unwavering confidence, the Middleweight division is in for an exciting future, as the champion continues to make his mark in the UFC.
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