UFC 305 is scheduled for this weekend (Sat., Aug. 17, 2024) from inside RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. I have nothing at all against “The City of Light” or Aussie crowds, but I must say, the main event of Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya feels like it belongs on a different continent.
We’ve been talking about UFC Africa for a long, long time now. Remember a few years ago when “The Three Kings” ruled Welterweight, Middleweight, and Heavyweight? Three champions from three different countries in Africa, and all that resulted from that opportunity to expand into a new continent was … talk.
Let me be the first to admit I am no expert on the geopolitical logistics of holding a UFC event in Africa. I fully understand that it would be a complicated process with lots of moving parts. It is something that is surely much easier said than done, but I would like to argue that it’s not impossible or unreasonable a goal.
From Muhammad Ali’s “Rumble In The Jungle” to the massive football and rugby games, Africa has hosted large sporting events. South Africa’s FNB Stadium is the fourth largest in the world and can fit 94,000 people. UFC CEO, Dana White, has discussed opening a Performance Institute in Africa and holding live events there.
A UFC event somewhere in African is possible. Likely, it comes down to expense. Figuring out all the logistics costs money, after all. Fortunately, we know from all those record-setting public earning reports and ESPN contract numbers that the UFC has plenty of cash to burn.
Look at the upcoming UFC Sphere event, for example. White is self-admittedly burning through millions and millions of dollars to write a “love letter” to Mexican fight fans, which is dope! If the promotion is going to cut costs by hiring exclusively Contenders Series talent, that surplus revenue should at least go towards creating must-watch spectacle events like UFC Sphere.
My argument is that Du Plessis vs. Adesanya in South Africa would be more of a spectacle and more fitting to invest into. Again, I think the UFC Sphere is a really fun idea and I’ll be plenty excited to tune in, but … what does Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili have to do with Mexico again? What does the Las Vegas Sphere have to do with Mexico? Why is it sponsored by Riyahd? The promotion holds events actually in Mexico most years, which generally would feel more fitting for the second Noche UFC event.
There could be no more perfect fight to introduce UFC to Africa than Du Plessis vs. Adesanya. “Stillknocks” may have gotten some hate for his phrasing, but the man does deserve huge credit for bringing a UFC title back to South Africa. He’s a beloved figure that has opened the door for other South African athletes.
Adesanya, meanwhile, is quite possibly the most successful African fighter in UFC history, someone who helped pave the way for Du Plessis himself! The Nigerian kickboxer is a star anywhere, but I have to imagine “Stylebender” would draw a special pop in even in Du Plessis’ country.
The fight would be a spectacle. It’s already a great main event with serious implications on multiple divisions, but it could have been a standout moment in UFC history. Furthermore, if this perfect of a fight between two African champions wasn’t enough to make UFC Africa happen, will the promotion ever expand into that continent?
White says it will happen if Du Plessis wins this weekend, but … we’ll see.
Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 305 fight card right here, starting with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. ET (simulcast on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET), before the pay-per-view (PPV) main card start time at 10 p.m. ET (also on ESPN+).
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