Dricus Du Plessis says Israel Adesanya ‘misjudges himself as still being a champion and he’s not’
South African MMA king Dricus Du Plessis who sits on the UFC middleweight throne observed that Israel Adesanya ‘misjudges himself as still being a champion and he’s not’.
Nigeria’s Adesanya was floored last year in a one-sided bout against Sean Strickland, and declared he was taking a hiatus from the sport after rumours of a rematch.
However, Du Plessis who missed the opportunity to face Adesanya then came back at UFC 297 to dethrone Strickland in a brutal manner.
Following the development, discussions were going on to match Du Plessis against Adesanya, but this is no more the case.
‘With the conversations of 300, that would’ve been a massive fight with me and Izzy,’ Du Plessis said to Cameron Saaiman.
‘It was on the table, 100 percent, but one thing people don’t realize is why would I go and start a camp once again, injured, if I am the champion?
‘Taking risks is one thing, I have been taking risks, a lot, but why would I risk? I’m the champion now, and I can fight when I’m ready. I think Izzy misjudges himself as still being a champion and he’s not.’
Whatever Du Plessis’ reason for avoiding the bout, it will dissolve with time.
It seems the long expected fight between the two Africans will finally take place after all.