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Dricus du Plessis claims Israel Adesanya should have retired from UFC by now: ‘I saw it in his eyes’

Dricus du Plessis claims Israel Adesanya should have retired last year I saw it in his eyes Dricus du Plessis has claimed former two-time middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya should likely have called time on his career…

Dricus du Plessis has claimed former two-time middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya should likely have called time on his career in mixed martial arts following his knockout loss to Alex Pereira – claiming he was aware of the City Kickboxing star’s intentions to end his career.

du Plessis, the current undisputed middleweight champion, returns to the Octagon next month in the main event of UFC 305, taking on the above-mentioned, Adesanya in a title showdown in Perth, Australia.

Winning the undisputed crown at UFC 297 back in January of this year in a trip to Canada, du Plessis turned in a close, controversial split decision win over Sean Strickland – improving his unbeaten promotional record to 7-0.

For Adesanya, the former two-time middleweight titleholder has been sidelined since September of last year, himself suffering a one-sided unanimous decision loss to the previously mentioned, Strickland – in one of the biggest upset defeats in Octagon antiquity,

And sharing the stage earlier this month as part of a tense pre-fight press conference ahead of their UFC 305 clash, du Plessis and Adesanya shared some notable trash talk, with the South African poking fun at the former champion’s pet dog.

Dricus du Plessis claims Israel Adesanya should have retired last year

Furthermore, in the time since, du Plessis has boldly proclaimed that he knew Adesanya was set to call time on his career in the sport – and insisted he likely should have already.

Israel Adesanya reveals he's getting ready for fighting return amid links to UFC 305 clash with Dricus du Plessis — Mandatory Credit: Jasmin Frank – USA TODAY Sports

“He (Israel Adesanya) knows it and the world knows it, he’s done great things in this sport – when it comes to as big as he’s going to get, he has been as big as he’s going to get in this sport,” Dricus du Plessis told Hello Sport.

“When it comes to the title defenses, the winning streaks, that will never come again because he doesn’t have the time, so I think his biggest achievement for him personally was beating Alex Pereira. He had this nemesis who’s beaten him multiple times and after that fight, he was ready to call it quits – that’s what I saw in his eyes as well.”

Who do you think wins next month at UFC 305: Dricus du Plessis or Israel Adesanya?

Dricus Du Plessis On What He Saw In Israel Adesanya’s Eyes During Staredown: ‘Trying To Convince Himself He Still Wants To Do This’

UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis drew some conclusions from his long faceoff with Israel Adesanya last week. After a bitter feud dating back to the start of 2023, Du Plessis and Adesanya will finally have the chance to settle their grudge inside the Octagon at the upcoming UFC 305 pay-per-view in Perth, Australia, next […]

Continue Reading Dricus Du Plessis On What He Saw In Israel Adesanya’s Eyes During Staredown: ‘Trying To Convince Himself He Still Wants To Do This’ at MMA News.

UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis drew some conclusions from his long faceoff with Israel Adesanya last week.

After a bitter feud dating back to the start of 2023, Du Plessis and Adesanya will finally have the chance to settle their grudge inside the Octagon at the upcoming UFC 305 pay-per-view in Perth, Australia, next month.

Having been unable to make the turnaround post-beating Robert Whittaker to face “The Last Stylebender” in Sydney last September, “Stillknocks” set this bout up once again by dethroning Sean Strickland months after he upset Adesanya Down Under.

With their long-awaited showdown just over a month away, Du Plessis and his challenger went face to face in Perth for an on-sale press conference.

Following some firm words with microphone in hand, the pair engaged in one of the lengthiest and most intense faceoffs in recent memory. And according to the champ, he learned a thing or two from it…

Du Plessis Saw Uncertainty In Adesanya’s Eyes During Perth Faceoff

During a recent appearance on the All Talk podcast, Du Plessis looked ahead to his opening defense of the middleweight title and reflected on his first in-person interaction with Adesanya during the UFC 305 buildup.

The South African spoke about the importance of pre-fight faceoffs, even branding them the first part of a bout. And given what he claims to have seen in the eyes of Adesanya, the champ evidently believes round one went to him.

“Once I get into that zone for any staredown, there’s no humor in that. That’s when things get serious. That’s part of the fight right there, winning that exchange,” Du Plessis said. “Almost a theme for me in this whole fight is seeing that Israel Adesanya…he has done great things in this sport. But when it comes to as big as he’s gonna get, he has been as big as he’s gonna get. When it comes to the title defenses and the winning streaks, that will never come again because he doesn’t have the time.

“His biggest achievement for him personally was beating Alex Pereira. He had this nemesis who’s beaten him multiple times. And after that fight, he was ready to call it quits,” Du Plessis continued. “That’s what I saw in his eyes as well; trying to convince me but more so trying to convince himself that he still wants to do this and that he still has what it takes to be the best fighter in the world. As soon as you’re asking yourself that question, you’re in a dark place.”

Whether or not Du Plessis draws the same conclusion when they go face to face again when fight week rolls around in Perth remains to be seen.

But given his golf jibe relating to retirement during the recent presser, it would appear that “Stillknocks” sees Adesanya having one foot out the door ahead of his first fight in 11 months.

Read More: Dricus Du Plessis To Israel Adesanya: ‘I’m Glad You Took Up Golf, Because That’s A Retirement Sport’

Continue Reading Dricus Du Plessis On What He Saw In Israel Adesanya’s Eyes During Staredown: ‘Trying To Convince Himself He Still Wants To Do This’ at MMA News.

UFC Hall of Famer believes we’ll see the ‘most dangerous’ version of Israel Adesanya at UFC 305

Michael Bisping believes we will see the “most dangerous” version of Israel Adesanya yet at UFC 305. After surrendering…

Michael Bisping believes we will see the “most dangerous” version of Israel Adesanya yet at UFC 305.

After surrendering his middleweight title in September, ‘The Last Stylebender’ took a leave from fighting to rest and reflect. On Saturday, August 17, his time of reflection will be over as he returns to the Octagon determined to claim the 185-pound crown for the third time — something nobody has ever done in the division.

Standing in his way will be newly minted middleweight king Dricus Du Plessis, who took the title off Sean Strickland in January, four months after ‘Tarzan’ put on a dominant five-round showing against Adesanya to snatch the belt away.

But before all of that, Adesanya and Du Plessis engaged in a racially charged face-off following the latter’s win over Robert Whittaker at UFC 290 last year.

That put the pair of African superstars on a collision course before it was temporarily derailed by Strickland’s sensational showing a couple of months later.

With their middleweight title fight now back on track and scheduled to headline the promotion’s return to Perth, Du Plessis and Adesanya once again traded barbs during Tuesday’s UFC 305 on-sale press conference, with Du Plessis saying afterward that Adesanya is “trying to convince himself that he still wants to be here.”

Adesanya: "He tried to discredit the Three Kings and say he's the real, true African champion."

Du Plessis: "Never discredited anybody. Stating facts. … I'm glad you took up golf, because that's a retirement sport."

Things are heating up ahead of #UFC305. pic.twitter.com/CEUtNUm5Ji

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) July 3, 2024

Offering his take on the war of words between Adesanya and Du Plessis, former middleweight titleholder Michael Bisping suggested that all ‘Stillknocks’ is doing with his talk is coaxing out what could be one of the nastiest versions of the ‘Stylebender’ we’ve ever seen inside the Octagon.

“That’s kind of harsh words for Israel Adesanya to hear, and for Israel, that’s going to motivate him big time,” Bisping said on his YouTube channel. “That’s going to piss him off. That’s going to grind his gears. That’s going to get in his head. That is going to force him to train his ass off, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see one of the most dangerous, nasty versions of Israel Adesanya that we’ve seen” (h/t MMA Junkie).

Michael Bisping reminds everyone what happened the last time Israel Adesanya lost in the UFC

The last time Israel Adesanya suffered a big loss inside the Octagon came at UFC 281 when he lost the middleweight strap via a fifth-round KO at the hands of longtime rival Alex Pereira.

Five months later, the ‘Stylebender’ struck back, scoring a massive knockout of ‘Poatan’ in the second round of their UFC rematch, becoming the first fighter in UFC history to claim the division title twice.

“Last time he was embarrassed against Alex Pereira, what did he do? He came back and he knocked out Alex ‘Poatan’ Pereira – the [current] bell of the ball, one of the top pound-for-pound fighters, a two-weight champion, and the biggest star in all of mixed martial arts,” Bisping said.

“That’s another thing: Don’t think that that’s not pissing Izzy off, either. Of course, it is. Izzy was the man. Now he’s fallen off. Somebody else has got his belt. His former opponent, his former rival, his former nemesis is now who Izzy was. is now the biggest star in the sport. Everyone’s loving the guy. That is pissing Izzy off, as well. So as I say, I think he’s going to be very, very dangerous.”

Will history repeat itself, or will ‘DDP’ solidify his spot as the middleweight division’s top dog? Only time will tell.

Former UFC Champion On Why We May See ‘One Of The Most Dangerous, Nasty Versions Of Israel Adesanya’ Against Dricus Du Plessis

Israel Adesanya is certainly not going to be short on motivation heading into his middleweight title fight at UFC 305. After the longest break of his fighting career, the former champion returns to try and reclaim the belt against his rival, Dricus Du Plessis. There has been tension between the two men that stems back […]

Continue Reading Former UFC Champion On Why We May See ‘One Of The Most Dangerous, Nasty Versions Of Israel Adesanya’ Against Dricus Du Plessis at MMA News.

Israel Adesanya is certainly not going to be short on motivation heading into his middleweight title fight at UFC 305.

After the longest break of his fighting career, the former champion returns to try and reclaim the belt against his rival, Dricus Du Plessis.

There has been tension between the two men that stems back to last year when some comments from “Stillknocks” made this feud personal and intense.

Now, Du Plessis had added more fuel to the fire with his statements in interviews and the recent press conference, where he gave his feelings on Adesanya’s career.

Michael Bisping Says Dricus Du Plessis Is Motivating & Firing Up Israel Adesanya Ahead Of UFC 305

Despite their feud, Du Plessis has made it very clear that he has a lot of respect for everything that Adesanya has accomplished in his career.

The difference is that the current champion believes his next opponent is not the same man that he used to be anymore and his best days are behind him.

In a recent video on his YouTube channel, former 185-pound champion Michael Bisping gave his reaction to the words between the two men at the press conference.

He believes that Du Plessis saying these things about Adesanya could end up backfiring by giving his opponent more venom ahead of their eventual meeting in Perth on August 17.

“That’s kind of harsh words for Israel Adesanya to hear and for Israel, that’s going to motivate him big time. That’s going to p*** him off, that’s going to grind his gears, that’s going to get in his head, that is going to force him to train his a** off, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see one of the most dangerous, nasty version of Israel Adesanya that we’ve seen.”

Adesanya’s return comes on Australian soil, where he was shockingly unseated by Sean Strickland last September in Sydney.

He’ll look to return to the throne inside Perth’s RAC Arena, where fellow Oceania-based fighters like Kai Kara-France, Steve Erceg, Junior Tafa, and Jack Jenkins will also be among those in action.

Read More: Dricus Du Plessis Matchmakes For Sean Strickland, Shuts Down Desire To Wait For Title Shot: ‘You Can Main Event That Fight On Any Card…’

Continue Reading Former UFC Champion On Why We May See ‘One Of The Most Dangerous, Nasty Versions Of Israel Adesanya’ Against Dricus Du Plessis at MMA News.

Former UFC Champion On Why We May See ‘One Of The Most Dangerous, Nasty Versions Of Israel Adesanya’ Against Dricus Du Plessis

Continue Reading Former UFC Champion On Why We May See ‘One Of The Most Dangerous, Nasty Versions Of Israel Adesanya’ Against Dricus Du Plessis at MMA News.

Israel Adesanya is certainly not going to be short on motivation heading into his middleweight title fight at UFC 305.

After the longest break of his fighting career, the former champion returns to try and reclaim the belt against his rival, Dricus Du Plessis.

There has been tension between the two men that stems back to last year when some comments from “Stillknocks” made this feud personal and intense.

Now, Du Plessis had added more fuel to the fire with his statements in interviews and the recent press conference, where he gave his feelings on Adesanya’s career.

Michael Bisping Says Dricus Du Plessis Is Motivating & Firing Up Israel Adesanya Ahead Of UFC 305

Despite their feud, Du Plessis has made it very clear that he has a lot of respect for everything that Adesanya has accomplished in his career.

The difference is that the current champion believes his next opponent is not the same man that he used to be anymore and his best days are behind him.

In a recent video on his YouTube channel, former 185-pound champion Michael Bisping gave his reaction to the words between the two men at the press conference.

He believes that Du Plessis saying these things about Adesanya could end up backfiring by giving his opponent more venom ahead of their eventual meeting in Perth on August 17.

“That’s kind of harsh words for Israel Adesanya to hear and for Israel, that’s going to motivate him big time. That’s going to p*** him off, that’s going to grind his gears, that’s going to get in his head, that is going to force him to train his a** off, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see one of the most dangerous, nasty version of Israel Adesanya that we’ve seen.”

Adesanya’s return comes on Australian soil, where he was shockingly unseated by Sean Strickland last September in Sydney.

Read More: Dricus Du Plessis Matchmakes For Sean Strickland, Shuts Down Desire To Wait For Title Shot: ‘You Can Main Event That Fight On Any Card…’

Continue Reading Former UFC Champion On Why We May See ‘One Of The Most Dangerous, Nasty Versions Of Israel Adesanya’ Against Dricus Du Plessis at MMA News.

UFC warned against ‘Wasting time’ with Khamzat Chimaev amid latest withdrawal: ‘I feel sorry for the guy’

Off the back of his latest exit from a high-profile return to the Octagon last month, Khamzat Chimaev should…

Off the back of his latest exit from a high-profile return to the Octagon last month, Khamzat Chimaev should be avoided when it comes to promotion by the UFC – according to current middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis.

Forced from yet another slated return to action – this time in the form of his would-be main event debut for the promotion, Chimaev exited a UFC Saudi Arabia headliner with ex-champion, Robert Whittaker, through an apparent “violent illness”.

And plotting another return – this time at UFC 308 in October, Chimaev, who has been sidelined since the same month an annum prior, warned contenders and fans alike that he would show who the real “king” was when he eventually makes a comeback.

Khamzat Chimaev not in the title picture claims Dricus du Plessis

However, in his pursuit of a rebooked clash with fan-favorite, Whittaker, Chimaev has been labelled as a waste of time currently by du Plessis – who admitted he would also fight the Chechen, if he ever strung together a run of consistency.

“I’m feeling sorry for the guy (Khamzat Chimaev), I know what it feels like, I’ve been on that side of the are of not being able to fight and it sucks,” Dricus du Plessis told Submission Radio.”

“Right now, it just doesn’t even make sense to talk about it [a future fight],” Dricus du Plessis explained. “You know, he hasn’t fought one single ranked middelweight – not one, and to put him in that conversation right now, seems like we’re wasting time. He’s not in the run and up until [the time] he proves that he deserves to be in that run, there’s no use in talking about it.”

Himself returning at UFC 305 next month in a trip to Perth, undisputed middleweight champion, du Plessis will defend his middleweight crown against former two-time titleholder, Israel Adesanya in a heated battle ‘Downunder’.

Do you agree with Dricus du Plessis’ assessment of the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev?