Israel Adesanya was forced to eat the humble pie on Sunday after he suffered his first ever submission loss to South Africa Dricus Du Plessis in the fourth round of the main event of UFC 305, failing to regain the middleweight title.
Adesanya, a former two-time champion, failed the redemption bid to take the belt from Du Plessis in a grudge match in Perth.
The months long rivalry between the two African fighters was settled in the Octagon after days of deep heated thrash talks which started way back in January
after Du Plessis dethroned Strickland to become the middleweight Champion and declared himself the first “real” African UFC champion.
He shoved it in the face of the Nigerian, saying the fact is the fact as the South African stressed that he meant the first African not only to have been born on the continent but also to have trained in Africa throughout his career, which makes him the legit first truly African champion.
However, Nigerian-born Adesanya, who represents New Zealand took claim in bad blood and felt offended, and promised to kill Dricus dream while achieving his dream the same day.
The matter arose again in last Thursday’s press conference, and Adesanya burst into tears which resulted in name calling and set up one of the most anticipated, personal feuds and scores settling in a fight in the UFC, a continuation of Nigeria and South Africa rivalry In a way.
After the fourth round , it was the South African who laughed last , retaining his belt and declared it a win for South Africa in his post fight reaction.
“Tonight Africa would have won regardless. But tonight South Africa was the victor. It was an honor for me to share this cage with a legend like that. I have the utmost respect for him, warrior to warrior.”
The South African shared a bit of what worked for him in the fight and how he was able to keep Adesanya on the ground till he tapped out for a submission loss in the fourth round
“I need that takedown and i got the takedown, at this level it’s hard to keep people down.”
” This man is the king of getting back up. Nobody can take him down and keep him there. I got a few good ones, landed a few good punches but ultimately I believe this fight was won on the feet. Here I am and still champion.”
But for Adesanya, it was another reality check night as he assessed what went wrong for him in the fight.
“I already knew he was going to be tough,” Adesanya said. “It wasn’t a surprise. I felt strong, able to resist his takedowns. I just made a stupid dumb mistake on the ground.”
Immediately after the fight, Adesanya removed his gloves and talked about retirement which many had predicted for him if he loses but he said he is not leaving the game yet.
Adesanya said : I know all you motherf*cker wants to see me lose, you want to see me down” but watch this, I’m not f*cking leaving.”
The 35 year old fighter once dominated the middleweight scene, posted a five defence of the title but It’s been tough for Adesanya in the Octagon lately, as the self styled “Last Style Bender” has lost three of his last four fights, which included his ever first back to back losses in the middleweight category of the UFC.
