Daniel Cormier on Bad Blood UFC 305 Main Event: ‘Those guys hate each other’ – Dricus du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya

Daniel Cormier on Bad Blood UFC 305 Main Event: 'Those guys hate each other' - Dricus du Plessis vs. Israel AdesanyaDaniel Cormier loves the bad blood between Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya On Saturday night, the UFC returns…

Daniel Cormier on Bad Blood UFC 305 Main Event: 'Those guys hate each other' - Dricus du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya

Daniel Cormier loves the bad blood between Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya

On Saturday night, the UFC returns to Perth, Australia with a loaded pay-per-view offering punctuated by a massive middleweight title clash. Du Plessis, the promotion’s reigning 185-pound king, will put his crown on the line for the first time against a man ready to claim it for a third time, Israel Adesanya.

Israel Adesanya vs. Dricus Du Plessis

It’s been more than a year since ‘DDP’ and Adesanya engaged in a racially charged face-off at UFC 290, but it’s clear that neither one’s disdain for the other has dwindled.

Discussing their upcoming title clash, Cormier suggested that ‘The Last Stylebender’ was smart to take the last year off after earning a reputation for being one of the most active champions in UFC history.

“I honestly don’t hate that he took some time off,” Cormier said on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer. “They were riding this dude so hard. He was riding so hot, for so long.

“I remember right after he lost to Sean Strickland, I posted a picture of the amount of fights he had headlined. I thought to myself, this dude needs a break. It’s not bad that he took some time off. He was fighting a lot. Like, a lot. He was fighting a lot. I don’t know if anyone’s been as active” (h/t MMA Fighting).

Last summer, Adesanya and Du Plessis appeared to be on a collision course, but those plans were briefly derailed when Sean Strickland delivered a lights-out performance against the ‘Stylebender’ at UFC 293, taking the middleweight title with him back to Las Vegas.

In the aftermatch Adesanya opted to take some time off and reassess.

Israel Adesanya vs. Sean Strickland

But when Du Plessis snatched the title away from Strickland just four months later, Adesanya knew it was time to start preparing for a comeback.

The heated rivalry between Du Plessis, who hails from South Africa, and Adesanya can be traced back to comments ‘Stillknocks’ made last year when he claimed that he would be the UFC’s first true African world champion. The comment rubbed Adesanya, who was born in Nigeria, the wrong way, leading to their heated exchange inside the Octagon last summer.

“He don’t want to lose to that dude,” Cormier said of Adesanya. “He don’t want to lose to Dricus. I love how intense it gets between these guys. I like bad blood fights. That’s my thing. I’m not going to lie to you, I love when it’s a bad blood fight, and this one has all the sh*t that I love. Those guys hate each other.”

du plessis adesanya ufc 305 face off stare down

Daniel Cormier says it’s up to Adesanya to prove he still has what it takes to compete

Though Adesanya is, in the eyes of many, the promotion’s greatest middleweight champion of all time, Du Plessis remains convinced that the former two-time titleholder’s best days are behind him.

Whether or not that’s true is entirely up to the 35-year-old ‘Stylebender’ as he looks to make history by becoming the first-ever three-time middleweight champion at UFC 305.

“I think Dricus is almost betting on him not being [the same guy he was before],” Cormier said. “He said it on Countdown. He said, ‘He’s a tremendous fighter but his light is dimming … his light is dimming if it isn’t completely out [already].’ F*cking Dricus du Plessis said that about Izzy.”

“It’s on Izzy to show that’s not the case. It’s [up to him to say], ‘I’m still here and I’m still the man.”

Israel Adesanya reacts as Sean Strickland confirmed as number one contender after UFC 305: ‘I like it’

Israel Adesanya reacts as Sean Strickland confirmed as number one contender after UFC 305: 'I like it'Slated to headline UFC 305 this weekend in a title grudge match with arch-rival, Dricus du Plessis, former two-time…

Israel Adesanya reacts as Sean Strickland confirmed as number one contender after UFC 305: 'I like it'

Slated to headline UFC 305 this weekend in a title grudge match with arch-rival, Dricus du Plessis, former two-time middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya claims he “likes” the idea of a rematch with Sean Strickland – who was confirmed as the number one contender to the throne by Dana White overnight.

Adesanya, a former two-time undisputed middleweight gold holder, has been out of action since he took on the outspoken, Strickland back in September of last year ‘Downunder’ – losing his title in a stunning unanimous decision loss to the massive underdog.

Israel Adesanya likes the idea of facing Sean Strickland after UFC 305

And taking on promotional-perfect star, du Plessis this weekend in Australia, former two-time champion, Adesanya appears most definitely receptive to news that the victor of the UFC 305 headliner will face off with Strickland, in a bid to avenge just his second defeat at the 185lbs limit.

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“Oh, really?” Israel Adesanya asked The Mac Life when he learned of Sean Strickland’s status as number one contender after UFC 305. “Ok, cool. That’s nice, I didn’t think the UFC would announce it [who the number one contender is] like that but I thought maybe (Robert) Whittaker versus Khamzat (Chimaev).”

“I have to think about it – I like it,” Israel Adesanya claimed. “I don’t mind it, I like it. Cool.”

Israel Adesanya Fights
Image via: Getty

Slated to land himself a rematch against either Adesanya or du Plessis ahead of UFC 305, Strickland dropped the undisputed middleweight crown against the Pretoria native back in January of this year in Canada, in a controversial split decision loss – which he has been vocal about since.

Israel Adesanya Next Fight

Returning to winning ways at UFC 302 back in May, Strickland turned in an impressive decision win over former title challenger, Paulo Costa in Newark, New Jersey. 

Israel Adesanya reacts as Sean Strickland confirmed as number one contender after UFC 305: ‘I like it’

Israel Adesanya reacts as Sean Strickland confirmed as number one contender after UFC 305: 'I like it'Slated to headline UFC 305 this weekend in a title grudge match with arch-rival, Dricus du Plessis, former two-time…

Israel Adesanya reacts as Sean Strickland confirmed as number one contender after UFC 305: 'I like it'

Slated to headline UFC 305 this weekend in a title grudge match with arch-rival, Dricus du Plessis, former two-time middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya claims he “likes” the idea of a rematch with Sean Strickland – who was confirmed as the number one contender to the throne by Dana White overnight.

Adesanya, a former two-time undisputed middleweight gold holder, has been out of action since he took on the outspoken, Strickland back in September of last year ‘Downunder’ – losing his title in a stunning unanimous decision loss to the massive underdog.

Israel Adesanya likes the idea of facing Sean Strickland after UFC 305

And taking on promotional-perfect star, du Plessis this weekend in Australia, former two-time champion, Adesanya appears most definitely receptive to news that the victor of the UFC 305 headliner will face off with Strickland, in a bid to avenge just his second defeat at the 185lbs limit.

87963523136

“Oh, really?” Israel Adesanya asked The Mac Life when he learned of Sean Strickland’s status as number one contender after UFC 305. “Ok, cool. That’s nice, I didn’t think the UFC would announce it [who the number one contender is] like that but I thought maybe (Robert) Whittaker versus Khamzat (Chimaev).”

“I have to think about it – I like it,” Israel Adesanya claimed. “I don’t mind it, I like it. Cool.”

Israel Adesanya Fights
Image via: Getty

Slated to land himself a rematch against either Adesanya or du Plessis ahead of UFC 305, Strickland dropped the undisputed middleweight crown against the Pretoria native back in January of this year in Canada, in a controversial split decision loss – which he has been vocal about since.

Israel Adesanya Next Fight

Returning to winning ways at UFC 302 back in May, Strickland turned in an impressive decision win over former title challenger, Paulo Costa in Newark, New Jersey. 

Israel Adesanya Reveals Why He Won’t Face Alex Pereira Again

Israel Adesanya vs Alex Pereira UFCThe former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya lost and recaptured his title against the heavy-handed Brazilian Alex Pereira. But…

Israel Adesanya vs Alex Pereira UFC

The former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya lost and recaptured his title against the heavy-handed Brazilian Alex Pereira. But their rivalry dates back years from when they first met in kickboxing. Despite being 1-1 in the UFC, ‘The Last Stylebender’ has no interest in facing ‘Poatan’ for a trilogy match.

Israel Adesanya Not Interested in Alex Pereira

The Nigerian-Kiwi Israel Adesanya captured the UFC middleweight title in 2019 with a knockout, he then defended his title in five bouts. Later on, he would lose this crown to the US-born Sean Strickland. ‘Poatan’ Alex Pereira is a standout kickboxer who held multi-division titles in GLORY Kickboxing. Since switching to MMA he has earned UFC titles at both light heavyweight and middleweight.

Israel Adesanya vs Alex Pereira

While both Adesanya and Pereira were kickboxers they fought twice in China. The first fight was a decision win for ‘Poatan’ but was a close fight. Their second kickboxing match saw Pereira win by knockout. The two met later on in the UFC with the middleweight title on the line. In the last round, the Brazilian striker won by way of knockout. In their next meeting, Adesanya was able to take victory with a knockout. They’ve met four times overall, twice in kickboxing and twice in the UFC.

‘The Last Stylebender’ sat down for an interview with all-time great Demetrious Johnson and explained why he has no interest in that fight. Israel Adesanya said:

First fight in China, I thought I won. Anyone who has watched the fight – these casuals don’t, these plebs don’t – I thought I won. Even he thought I won until he got his hand raised. Second fight, again I’m beating his ass. And he gets me. And again in New York, beating that, rocked him, took him down, held him down, beat him. And he gets me.

I just knew I can beat this guy! That Miami one I was in a different place. I had to like tap into some darkness for that camp. People who knew me, I was different. Ain’t no way this motherf****er beat me four times. And it’s the story.

So now I beat him once. If I fight him again I knock him out, what’s that, what are they going to say? Oh, it’s 3-2, not enough, best out of 7. I’m like, bro! I’m [35], I’ve only got so many more fights left.

Since their last meeting, Pereira went up in weight and was able to grab a UFC title in the light heavyweight division. ‘Poatan’ himself is interested in the match but wants it to be in the light heavyweight weight class.

At middleweight, Sean Strickland lost the UFC championship to South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis. This weekend at UFC 305, Israel Adesanya will look to reclaim his former title against Du Plessis.

Daniel Cormier Wasn’t Interested In Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya Before ‘Uncomfortable’ Bad Blood

It took a some animosity for ex-UFC champion Daniel Cormier to see this weekend’s main event as a matchup worth getting excited for. Middleweight kingpin Dricus Du Plessis will put his title on the line for the first time in the headliner of the UFC 305 pay-per-view, where he’s tasked with stalling the three-time champ […]

Continue Reading Daniel Cormier Wasn’t Interested In Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya Before ‘Uncomfortable’ Bad Blood at MMA News.

It took a some animosity for ex-UFC champion Daniel Cormier to see this weekend’s main event as a matchup worth getting excited for.

Middleweight kingpin Dricus Du Plessis will put his title on the line for the first time in the headliner of the UFC 305 pay-per-view, where he’s tasked with stalling the three-time champ ambitions of Israel Adesanya.

The pair will enter the cage inside the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, in the culmination of a feud sparked well over a year ago as a result of some controversial remarks from the then-future titleholder.

In one of his early post-fight interviews in the UFC, “Stillknocks” branded himself the promotion’s “real African” fighter, referring to his continued stay in the continent. He reiterated that sentiment in regard to his pursuit of gold, vowing to become the first champion who was born, resides, and trains in Africa.

The comments resulted in some tense exchanges with Adesanya, who recently berated his opponent’s “colonialist mindset” at the start of UFC 305 fight week.

With that in mind, the sensitive nature of their bad blood shows no sign of waning as fight night approaches, and one former champ doesn’t see that as a bad thing…

Cormier: ‘I Want To See The Fight’ Because Of Du Plessis & Adesanya’s Feud

During a recent episode of his Good Guy / Bad Guy show alongside Chael Sonnen on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel, Cormier looked ahead to this weekend’s PPV headliner Down Under.

In terms of the animosity between the pair ever since Adesanya took issue with Du Plessis’ words, Cormier suggested that in spite of the “uncomfortable” nature of the bad blood, it’s still taken his interest in the matchup from zero to 100.

“You don’t wanna say the wrong thing because it’s so easy to offend people on either side of the coin,” Cormier said. “When he (Du Plessis) said it, I thought he would kind of walk it back because of Usman and because of Ngannou and because of Izzy. He’s not walking it back. He’s standing on his idea that he’s the only true African champion. I don’t know that I’d agree…but for me, more importantly than all of that, I want to see the fight.

“If you would have told me, Chael, before all of this…all of this stuff that makes it so hot, that makes it so uncomfortable, I can seriously say to you I wasn’t very interested in those two guys fighting,” Cormier continued. “Now though, Chael, I am so interested in these two fighting because there’s something there. I love great fighters fighting each other, but when there’s a little bit extra, that is what draws me in as a fan. … This one this weekend has two of the best middleweights in the world, but they also have that bad blood, and it makes it fun.”

Du Plessis and Adesanya will finally have the chance to settle their grudge within the steel surroundings of the cage this weekend, 13 months on from their heated faceoff during International Fight Week.

Continue Reading Daniel Cormier Wasn’t Interested In Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya Before ‘Uncomfortable’ Bad Blood at MMA News.

Jon Anik Says Israel Adesanya will Unleash the Beast Against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305

Jon Anik Israel Adesanya Unleash Beast Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305Israel Adesanya vs. Dricus Du Plessis will be a middleweight title match for the ages, says UFC commentator Jon…

Jon Anik Israel Adesanya Unleash Beast Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305

Israel Adesanya vs. Dricus Du Plessis will be a middleweight title match for the ages, says UFC commentator Jon Anik. The UFC 305 main event is set to be a bad-blood showdown between the current champion facing the former king of the division.

Jon Anik Talks Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya

South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis is on an impressive nine-fight win streak with his most recent bout being a title win against Sean Strickland. Along the way to UFC gold, ‘Stillknocks’ has also defeated Derek Brunson, Darren Till, and Robert Whittaker, among others.

‘The Last Stylebender’ Israel Adesanya, the Nigerian-Kiwi athlete, captured the UFC middleweight title by knockout against Robert Whittaker in 2019. he was able to defend this throne in five bouts overall. Lost and won the crown to Alex Pereira before losing it to Strickland.

Adesanya is from Nigeria originally and grew up in New Zealand. Along the way to UFC 305, he has taken great offense to Dricus Du Plessis calling himself an African champion. While Du Plessis is from South Africa, Adesanya says that Du Plessis is not African due to his heritage of being a white guy.

Israel Adesanya
PERTH, AUSTRALIA – JULY 03: Dricus du Plessis – UFC middleweight champion and Israel Adesanya – No.2 UFC middleweight stare off during the UFC 305 On Sale Press Conference on July 03, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/Zuffa LLC)

This bad blood has likely inspired and given a flair to Adesanya says UFC commentator Jon Anik, who will be in the booth at UFC 305. Breaking down the match with Submission Radio, Anik explained:

Now, that’s just the nature, I think, of MMA, and a lot of Championship-level athletes would tell you that if you need that extra motivation at that level, then maybe you should find a different sport. But my gosh, you can be sure that this has unleashed the best type of beast when it comes to Israel’s preparation.

And yeah, on the other side, Israel Adesanya is fighting a dude who’s just like a truck and not a human being who just seemingly won’t be denied because maybe he’s more like a machine than a man. You know, Du Plessis is a fascinating champion. I also think that the nature of this matchup is gonna have him just completely locked in. I’m getting excited just talking to you about it. This is the first time I’m really talking about UFC 305, so when you set it up, I’m just getting all this energy.

It’s just going to be an electric MMA atmosphere when you have an MMA championship matchup like this, with friction and skill upon skill. It just doesn’t get any better.