Israel Adesanya has added more weight to his hopes of fighting Drix du Plessis in South Africa.
Adesanya recently claimed he is keen to fight in South Africa.
Israel Adesanya says he's getting more in touch with South African culture
He added that he believes he is more connected to the people of South Africa than the UFC middleweight champion.
“Of course. Those are my people,” Israel Adesanya reportedly said when asked if he would fight Drix du Plessis in South Africa. BJ pen. “Those are my people, and you are my people too. I know that for a fact. I don't care about the cheers, but they are my people. When I go there, When I go to South Africa, they're my people. When I go to South Africa, I'm exposed to South African culture more than he is.”
He continued:Yeah [he’s from there], but people. People tell me, and people know. I can go there and not even the language, [it’s the] The body language, the dancing, the atmosphere. When I'm there, they know and tell me like I'm their people.Yes, I guess so. [insane to fight there]”
When asked who he wanted as his first challenger after winning the UFC middleweight title in Toronto at UFC 297, there was only one thought that came to mind.
Israel Adesanya “I have your spark”
Du Plessis catapulted into the big time thanks to his strength with Israel Adesanya, and he wants to repay the favor.
“There was another guy who tried to steal my shine,” Du Plessis said. “He lost his spark. Now I have your spark. Even though you didn't get in the cage tonight, Israel Adesanya, you're back in the UFC and that's going to be the end of it.”
Du Plessis defeated Marcus Perez, Trevin Giles, Brad Tavares, Darren Till, Derek Brunson and Robert Whittaker to earn a title shot, but he wouldn't have been promoted without Adesanya. There are probably many people who feel that way. Quickly.
Mr. du Plessis, on the other hand, appears to have started the trouble with Mr. Adesanya's controversial comments on national identity. Adesanya was born in Nigeria, but he represented China as a kickboxer and switched his nationality to New Zealand.
This allowed du Plessis to claim that he would be a true African champion, citing the fact that he still lives on the continent and has no intention of moving to another country.
Adesanya took the true African champion's comments as a racist insult and infamously stormed into the Octagon to face the South African after his win over Whittaker.
