Israel Adesanya has announced a change in plans for his upcoming UFC middleweight title defense. In a recent Twitter video, Adesanya revealed that Dricus Du Plessis, his scheduled challenger, won’t be able to fight at UFC 293 due to a foot injury. Consequently, Adesanya expressed his desire to face Sean Strickland, a top middleweight contender, instead, while Du Plessis would have to wait for his turn.
Adesanya didn’t hold back his frustration in the video, referring to Du Plessis in disrespectful terms and accusing him of backing out of the fight due to a sore foot. Adesanya emphasized his own commitment to the sport, mentioning how he had previously fought with a knee injury. He also criticized other fighters who claim they would face anyone at any time, asserting that he and Alex Volkanovski are on a different level.
Remaining undeterred by the change, Adesanya declared that he is currently training and preparing for his fight in Sydney, regardless of the opponent. He dismissed Du Plessis with derogatory remarks and extended an invitation to Strickland, challenging him to a fight and claiming he will show him how to truly dance in the octagon. Adesanya expressed his frustration with fighters who boast about their willingness to fight but fail to follow through.
The rivalry between Adesanya and Du Plessis began when Du Plessis made comments about taking a belt to Africa, implying that he represented African fighters in the UFC. Adesanya took offense to this, feeling that Du Plessis was questioning his African identity due to his residence in New Zealand. Their confrontation escalated after Du Plessis defeated Robert Whittaker at UFC 290, with Adesanya confronting him in the cage.
UFC 293 is scheduled for September 10th at Qudos Arena in Sydney, although the main event has yet to be confirmed. Adesanya previously defended his belt in April, reclaiming it with a knockout victory over Alex Pereira in a title rematch after suffering a knockout loss at UFC 281.
Strickland recently impressed fans with a knockout win over Abusupiyan Magomedov, earning him his second consecutive victory. This notable performance sparked discussions about a potential title shot before Du Plessis emerged as the challenger.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about UFC middleweight title fight.
Q: What is the reason behind the change in the UFC middleweight title fight between Israel Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis?
A: The change in the title fight occurred because Dricus Du Plessis suffered a foot injury and was unable to compete. Israel Adesanya expressed his frustration with Du Plessis, accusing him of not being willing to fight despite claiming otherwise.
Q: Who will be the new challenger for Israel Adesanya’s middleweight title?
A: Sean Strickland, a top middleweight contender, has been chosen as the new challenger for Israel Adesanya’s middleweight title. Adesanya expressed his desire to face Strickland after Du Plessis pulled out of the fight.
Q: What caused the rivalry between Israel Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis?
A: The rivalry between Adesanya and Du Plessis began when Du Plessis made comments about taking a belt to Africa, which Adesanya perceived as a challenge to his African identity. This led to a confrontation between the two fighters after Du Plessis defeated Robert Whittaker.
Q: When and where will the UFC 293 event take place?
A: The UFC 293 event is scheduled to take place on September 10th at Qudos Arena in Sydney. However, the main event for the event has not been confirmed yet.
Q: How did Sean Strickland’s recent performance impact his chances of getting a title shot?
A: Sean Strickland’s impressive knockout win over Abusupiyan Magomedov in UFC Vegas 76 increased the talks about him potentially earning a title shot. His performance drew attention before Dricus Du Plessis stepped into the spotlight as the challenger for the middleweight title.
