Dana White officially raised the stakes for Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305.
The UFC CEO revealed Tuesday night that if du Plessis successfully defends his UFC middleweight title against Israel Adesanya on Saturday at UFC 305, the promotion will take its next 185-pound title fight to du Plessis’ home country of South Africa.
“You have one of these situations where, both guys, everything is on the line, especially because they dislike each other so much,” White said. “And if [du Plessus] can beat Izzy and bring that belt back to South Africa, obviously we’ll do an event there. And if Izzy can retain and win the title, it’s huge for him and his legacy — not retain, but regain.”
UFC 305 takes place August 18 at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.
Du Plessis, 30, captured the UFC middleweight title in January with a split decision win over Sean Strickland at UFC 297. The first South African champion in promotional history, du Plessis holds a perfect 7-0 record in the octagon, earning stoppage wins over the likes of Robert Whittaker, Darren Till, and Derek Brunson, among others.
Adesanya, 35, is a two-time former UFC middleweight champion. “The Last Stylebender” was expected to face du Plessis in late 2023, however du Plessis was unable to make the date and Adesanya instead fought Strickland, losing in a shocking and one-sided upset. Adesanya’s 12-fight win streak at 185 pounds to kick off his UFC career was the second-longest streak in UFC middleweight history, second only to MMA legend Anderson Silva.
Du Plessis and Adesanya have traded barbs for more than a year at this point, becoming fierce rivals over du Plessis’ argument over what constitutes a “true African champion.”
Given the history between the two men, White expects a rocky week in Perth.
“I’m sure [there’s tension]. [It’s a] big fight,” White said. “Every time guys hate each other like this, the fight usually ends up sucking, but I have a really good feeling this one won’t. You’re talking about, if you’re looking at what Israel Adesanya has achieved in his life, not just here but in kickboxing too, and Dricus, he brings it, man. He comes.”
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