Dricus du Plessis has paid tribute to Israel Adesanya after sharing the Octagon with the Nigerian-born fighter for the first time and emerging victorious.
Dricus du Plessis of South Africa and Israel Adesanya of Nigeria talk after their Middleweight title bout at UFC 305 at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. Image: EPA/RICHARD WAINWRIGHT AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT
Du Plessis secured a submission victory in the fourth round of their championship bout in the main event of UFC 305.“I’m really sorry that it came across that I disrespected the fact that he’s from Africa, that was never my intention,” Du Plessis said. “I got a few good ones, landed a few good punches, but ultimately I believe this fight was won on the feet. I’m alive right now, that’s just a bonus; I came in here to die for this belt, and I came here to take it back home.”Adesanya felt that he was always in the battle and felt that his loss was down to a single mistake on the ground.
“I’m disappointed in myself, but at the same time I’m proud. He was just the better man on the night, and I give him respect for that.”“I didn’t think this far, I didn’t manifest this! I’m 35, I’m doing the right things,” he said.Eben Etzebeth was ready to climb into the cage himself as he got fired up watching Dricus du Plessis defend his UFC middleweight crown in Perth.
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