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Why South Africans are so passionate about UFC. Photo: Steve Marcus/AFP

Home » UFC: When will Dricus du Plessis fight Israel Adesanya?

UFC: When will Dricus du Plessis fight Israel Adesanya?

The stars have aligned for a battle of the ages between South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis and Nigeria-born New Zealander Israel Adesanya to throw hands inside the UFC octagon. ALSO WATCH | Dricus du Plessis says Israel Adesanya ‘handled himself like a clown’ Du Plessis won his UFC 290 bout against Australia’s Robert Whittaker in spectacular fashion in Las Vegas on Saturday. Du Plessis […]

By Garrin Lambley
10-07-23 19:41
in Featured
Dricus du Plessis UFC South africans
Why South Africans are so passionate about UFC. Photo: Steve Marcus/AFP

The stars have aligned for a battle of the ages between South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis and Nigeria-born New Zealander Israel Adesanya to throw hands inside the UFC octagon.

ALSO WATCH | Dricus du Plessis says Israel Adesanya ‘handled himself like a clown’

Du Plessis won his UFC 290 bout against Australia’s Robert Whittaker in spectacular fashion in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Du Plessis was declared the winner due to strikes, 2:23 into the second round to set up a fight against middleweight champion Adesanya at UFC 293 in Sydney, Australia.

UFC 293 is expected to take place at the Qudos Bank Arena on 10 September 2023.

While outspoken Adesanya will no doubt head into the fight as the favourite, don’t rule out Du Plessis causing yet another massive upset.

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Meanwhile, former United States President Donald Trump was the first spectator to congratulate Du Plessis following his win over Whittaker at UFC 290.

Trump, now 77, is a big UFC fan and is often in attendance ring-side at the organisation’s pay-per-views events.

Trump was seated alongside Dana White as a special guest of the UFC president.

MUST SEE | Dricus du Plessis pledges to KO Israel Adesanya

After winning his bout in the second round due to strikes, Du Plessis climbed the octagon fence and spotted Trump in his seat.

DONALD TRUMP SHOOK HANDS

Du Plessis jumped down and shook hands with the former American president as well as with White.

ALSO READ | Dricus du Plessis to fight singer Bobby van Jaarsveld next?

As reported by The South African website, the referee called an end to Du Plessis’s fight 2:23 minutes into the second round.

Du Plessis, nicknamed ‘Stillknocks’, was a massive underdog with the bookmakers heading into the bout, but the win saw him move to a perfect 6-0 in his UFC career.

IN CLOSING | Dricus du Plessis credits coach with decision to fight southpaw

Tags: Dricus Du Plessis Du Plessis vs Adesanya HNelnny Israel Adesanya MMA fights UFC octagon