LAS VEGAS, NEVADA — Dricus du Plessis did not appreciate Israel Adesanya’s uncomfortable UFC 290 antics last night (Sat., July 8, 2023) inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Du Plessis picked up the biggest win of his career and claimed a title shot when he finished former Middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker, in the second round via technical knockout (watch highlights). “Still Knocks” picked up a “Performance of the Night” bonus for his huge stoppage win, too.
But, the fun was just getting started.
Immediately after Du Plessis’ win, UFC’s reigning Middleweight champion entered the cage to stare him down … and it ended up getting pretty awkward and ugly.
Check it out:
WHAT IS HAPPENING
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During UFC 290’s post-fight press conference (watch here), Du Plessis ripped Adesanya for his in-cage trash talk.
“I mean, you saw tonight I’m prepared. I’m prepared for everything. Everything he says, anything – He’s behaving like a clown in there,” Du Plessis told reporters. “You know, that’s not how a champion behaves. That’s not how a man behaves. He’s behaving like a child; conduct yourself like a champion. There’s people looking up to you, and you’re behaving like that? Nah. If that sells tickets, good for him. I’ll sell tickets my way. I’m a gentleman. I’m a man. And I’ll behave like a man.”
While it isn’t officially confirmed, Adesanya vs. Du Plessis is potentially targeted for UFC 293 in Sydney, Australia. It all depends if the South African fighter can turn around in eight weeks to challenge for the title.
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