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Dana White Discusses UFC Africa Obstacles: Wind, Rain, and Bugs Could Affect the Fights

UFC South Africa and Dana White Dana White desperately wants to take the UFC to South Africa. Unfortunately, the amount of obstacles seems almost insurmountable….

Dana White desperately wants to take the UFC to South Africa. Unfortunately, the amount of obstacles seems almost insurmountable.

Following Dricus Du Plessis’ win over Israel Adesanya in August, White made it clear that he wants to bring his show to the middleweight champion’s home country. Since then, rumors have been swirling that an event in either Johannesburg or Cape Town could be part of the promotion’s 2025 schedule.

However, White revealed following Tuesday’s episode of DWCS that they’re having a difficult time locking down a venue.

“You know how bad I want this, I’ve been trying to get this thing done. The arena situation there is tough, it’s tough to pull off,” White said. “That’s been the challenge with Africa as a whole. We’re trying to figure it out. The place that we would have to do it at, is outdoors, and you know how I feel about that. So I’ve been trying to figure out with the weather…. wind is a big problem. We’ve done it a couple of times, but anything that can affect the outcome of the fight, makes me not even want to try…

“It’s anything from wind, rain, bugs, too much humidity. A lot of things can interfere with the fight” (h/t BJPenn.com).

Dricus Du Plessis is the uFC’s only African World Champion

Even before Du Plessis’ rise to the top of the 185-pound division, White had expressed interest in going to Africa with the promotion and then hosting a trio of African world champions — Israel Adesanya, Kamaru Usman, and Francis Ngannou.

Currently, ‘DDP’ is the promotion’s lone titleholder hailing from Africa, but it sounds like he won’t be competing on his home turf anytime soon.

South Africa’s Sports Minister Says Dricus Du Plessis-Headlined UFC Event In ‘Final Stages Of Negotiations’

South African sports minister Gayton McKenzie recently revealed that negotiations are underway for a potential UFC event in Cape Town, with Dricus Du Plessis slated to headline. The reigning UFC middleweight champion has been very adamant in his push to bring the promotion to his homeland of South Africa for the first time. His campaign […]

Continue Reading South Africa’s Sports Minister Says Dricus Du Plessis-Headlined UFC Event In ‘Final Stages Of Negotiations’ at MMA News.

South African sports minister Gayton McKenzie recently revealed that negotiations are underway for a potential UFC event in Cape Town, with Dricus Du Plessis slated to headline.

The reigning UFC middleweight champion has been very adamant in his push to bring the promotion to his homeland of South Africa for the first time. His campaign gained momentum after he secured the title with a hard-fought split decision victory over former champion Sean Strickland at UFC 297 this past January.

The push for the event seemed to lose steam as the UFC had already locked in most of its venues for the upcoming quarter. However, the topic gained traction again before UFC 305 last month when UFC CEO Dana White hinted that if ‘Stillknocks’ could defeat fellow African star Israel Adesanya, the promotion would seriously consider bringing an event to South Africa.

With Du Plessis’ impressive submission victory over “The Last Stylebender,” it seems his wish is finally coming to fruition. Positive developments have been steadily aligning, especially after White, during the Noche UFC 306 post-fight press conference, confirmed that he’s “very serious” about hosting a UFC event in Africa.

McKenzie Confirms Du Plessis As Headliner For Potential UFC Africa Event, Host City Remains Up In The Air

According to multiple media reports, the DHL Stadium in Cape Town is in talks to construct a temporary roof at an estimated cost of R30 million (around $1.7 million) in preparation for hosting a UFC event in 2025. The 55,000-seat arena was one of the flagship venues during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Following these reports, the South African sports minister recently took to X to acknowledge that they are on the brink of sealing the deal to bring Du Plessis’ next fight to Africa. However, he also noted that the choice of host city is yet to be finalized.

“I see news articles about @UFCfight of @dricusduplessis happening in Cape Town,” McKenzie tweeted. “We are in the final stages of negotiating for the fight to happen in South Africa. We have not been given the green light. We will know by the end of October, no decision of hosting city can be made yet.”

I see news articles abt @UFC fight of @dricusduplessis happening in Cape Town, we are in final stages of negotiating that the fight happens in South Africa. We have not been given the green light. We will know by the end of October, no decision of hosting city can be made yet.

— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) September 18, 2024

With the host city still up in the air, the question of who ‘Stillknocks’ will face in his next title defense remains equally uncertain. Rumors are circulating, with some hinting at a possible rematch against Strickland.

Alternatively, Du Plessis has also suggested moving up a weight class to challenge reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira — or perhaps Pereira could move down to face him, a possibility he himself has hinted at.

However, “Poatan” is already scheduled to defend his light heavyweight crown against Khalil Rountree in the main event of UFC 307 on October 5. Only time will reveal who will ultimately stand across from Du Plessis in the Octagon at the much-anticipated showdown on African soil.

Read More: Anthony Smith Shares Theory On Alex Pereira Pondering Middleweight Return To Fight Dricus Du Plessis: ‘You Beat My Friend!’

Continue Reading South Africa’s Sports Minister Says Dricus Du Plessis-Headlined UFC Event In ‘Final Stages Of Negotiations’ at MMA News.

Themba Gorimbo calls for UFC Africa headlining fight after recent win: ‘I come from the gutters’

After picking up a win at UFC Vegas 92, Themba Gorimbo opened up about his dream for the future…

After picking up a win at UFC Vegas 92, Themba Gorimbo opened up about his dream for the future and what it will take to make that dream happen.

Coming from the “gutters” of Africa by his own admission, Gorimbo’s story is an inspirational one. He knows that, and that’s why he believes that he can make his dream of headlining a UFC Africa card come true one day.

At UFC Vegas 92, Gorimbo wasn’t just fighting for himself, though. His coach tragically lost his mother in the lead-up to fight night, and according to Gorimbo, the win was for her just as much as it was for himself.

“I don’t think he took me down,” Gorimbo told reporters at the post-fight press conference. “I think every time he tried to take me down, I remembered my coach and the sacrifice that he made. I said, ‘Nope.’ I remembered the sacrifice that he made. That’s why he didn’t take me down. Every time, he didn’t take me down. My takedown defense was solid. I took him down. I could’ve done more if I wanted to. But for this fight, I was working more on defensive wrestling than attacking wrestling. Because I wanted to knock him out. What I’m doing is being grateful for the win. That’s the most important thing.”

Themba Gorimbo hoped for a spectacular finish but ultimately came up short. Still, Gorimbo is just happy he can leave for home as the victor.

Themba Gorimbo speaks on his dream to headline UFC Africa card

“I’ve heard the rumors they’re going with a Fight Night first when they do go,” Themba Gorimbo said. “At a Fight Night, there’s no titles needed. So I have to make my way up and main event an Apex show. From there, I’ll main event the first African show because I’m a big inspiration to the African fighters because of where I come from. I earned my spot to be here. I didn’t have anything. I worked my ass off to be here. I sacrificed. I nagged my manager daily to be here in the UFC. If an African child can maybe take a page out of my story, to try to make it here, I’m the perfect guy to ask. If you listen to me and you try to do what I do, you might be up there or just land in the UFC.”

“I feel like I need to do that to inspire a lot of other African kids. I respect the guys who came before me, Izzy (Adesanya), Kamaru (Usman), the history he made, (Francis) Ngannou, the history he made, Dricus (Du Plessis) with the championship that he has. I respect that. But when it comes to the guy who can actually relate a lot more than anything, I’m not disrespecting the guys, but I come from the gutters of Africa, the gutters of Africa. I can maybe turn a page and reach the new market the UFC needs to reach.”

What’s more, Themba Gorimbo wouldn’t even describe himself as a role model. Instead, he’d just like his story to inspire his people.

“I’m not a guy that is a role model,” Themba Gorimbo said. “I’m just Themba Gorimbo. That’s what I’m proud of firstly. … When I sit at home, before sleeping at home in my bed, I reflect, and I don’t make the same mistakes again. So I’m not a role model, but I want to be an inspiration and I think I am. … I am inspiration more than a role model.”

Who do you think will headline the UFC Africa card?

South Africa Reportedly Planning $1.7 Million Stadium Renovation To Host Dricus Du Plessis UFC Title Fight

In his post-fight press conference after UFC 306, Dana White once again stressed that finally bringing the Octagon to Africa is a big priority for the promotion. Hosting events in new locations is never an easy process for the MMA leader, but when you have a champion like Dricus Du Plessis, where there is a […]

Continue Reading South Africa Reportedly Planning $1.7 Million Stadium Renovation To Host Dricus Du Plessis UFC Title Fight at MMA News.

In his post-fight press conference after UFC 306, Dana White once again stressed that finally bringing the Octagon to Africa is a big priority for the promotion.

Hosting events in new locations is never an easy process for the MMA leader, but when you have a champion like Dricus Du Plessis, where there is a will, there is a way.

The reaction that the middleweight champion received after his title-winning performance at UFC 297 really got the ball rolling.

It’s clear that there would be huge interest in seeing the Octagon touch down in South Africa with Du Plessis headlining the show, but the logistics of making it happen is where issues occur.

The biggest hurdle to get past when looking at stadium shows is the weather, something White has long cited when pushing back on such events. However, it looks like Cape Town Stadium are ready to make some sizable investments to remove this barrier to entry…

Mayor Of Cape Town Reveals Proposal To Build Temporary Roof Over Cape Town Stadium

The Executive Major of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis, recently spoke about plans to build a temporary roof in order to bring the UFC to the stadium.

In an interview with Cape Talk, Hill-Lewis said that he expects things to move relatively quickly.

“We’ve said to the national government, the minister (Gayton McKenzie), that we think we could do it absolutely soon, sometime around March next year. But we would need confirmation quite soon so that we could get cracking.” (h/t IOL)

Though there are other venues that could host a major UFC event, they simply don’t have the capacity of the 55,000 seater that was built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Hill-Lewis approximated that it would take around two months to build and would cost upwards of R30m (around $1.7 million).

There has been some pushback from other figures, such as the founder of lobby group Stop CoCT Sandra Dickson, who have criticized whether it’s necessary to do this rather than hosting it another venue, calling the plan “a limited short-term and temporary solution.”

Dricus Du Plessis & Robert Whittaker — Image: Chris Unger/UFC/Zuffa LLC

Read More: Tatiana Suarez Doesn’t Get Title Shot, Reportedly Faces Contender At UFC 310

Continue Reading South Africa Reportedly Planning $1.7 Million Stadium Renovation To Host Dricus Du Plessis UFC Title Fight at MMA News.

Kamaru Usman helps promote MMA in his home country of Nigeria leading up to UFC Africa

Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has decided to promote mixed martial arts in Africa prior to the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s debut event on the continent. UFC President Dana White has gone on record a number of times in 2022 stating that he’d like to take the UFC to Africa in 2023, and that if […]

Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has decided to promote mixed martial arts in Africa prior to the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s debut event on the continent.

UFC President Dana White has gone on record a number of times in 2022 stating that he’d like to take the UFC to Africa in 2023, and that if he doesn’t do it now, 10 more years will go by and they still wouldn’t have created a market there.

Therefore, Usman has taken matters into his own hands by helping promote an event in Nigeria.

As you see in the video above, Usman is playing Dana White by hosting the weigh ins at Face Off Fight Night III.

Kamaru Usman is one of the greatest 170 lb fighters to ever walk the earth, many placing him second just behind Georges St-Pierre.

But, it’s not just himself helping to promote MMA in Africa; former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and current UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou have both done the same as well, Adesanya being a fellow Nigerian, and Ngannou hailing from Cameroon.

With the athleticism, strength, and power of most Africans, once the Performance Institutes have been built there, there’s no telling how many stud fighters will come out of there.

Dricus du Plessis, following his win over Darren Till at UFC 282, also stated that the UFC should come to his native country in South Africa for their continental debut, saying they have the perfect infrastructures to host a massive event.

Do you think the UFC will host an event in Africa in 2023?

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Israel Adesanya Has Strong Reaction To UFC Africa Update

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya’s plans to be involved with UFC Africa haven’t been axed by his UFC 281 loss. Adesanya fell to Alex Pereira in the UFC 281 main event last weekend in New York City. It was his first defeat at…

Continue Reading Israel Adesanya Has Strong Reaction To UFC Africa Update at MMA News.