“Most nervous I’ve ever been…”Israel Adesanya’s powerful aura filled middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis with self doubt
Dricus Du Plessis reflects on 2024 as the best year of his life, highlighting his hard fought victory over Israel Adesanya.
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Dricus Du Plessis showered rare praise on Israel Adesanya looking back on their fight (Image via Imago)
Middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis is on the verge of making his return at UFC 312. The South African native is set to defend his world title in a rematch against number 1 ranked contender Sean Strickland. This fight would mark his second title defense after beating former two-time champion Israel Adesanya. Looking back on his fight against Adesanya, DDP made some shocking revelation.
Dricus Du Plessis divulged what he truly felt walking into the first title defense at UFC 305. Pre-fight jitters are quite normal and every fighter goes through it. Incidentally, what DDP felt in this moment against Adesanya really speaks in volumes about the former champion’s body of work. The South African star highlighted the former champion’s powerful aura that really made him doubt himself.
Yeah, it was incredible. I think it’s the most nervous I have ever been for a fight. We’d think fighting for a title would make you nervous…. I was surprised as I walked into the Octagon. His presence in there you can see. He’s been there for many, many years. He’s been the champion for many years. Immediately that space, I feel he’s so comfortable and as I got into the octagon almost felt like I had to do something to take back the alpha in there.
Dricus Du Plessis via Exclusive Interview for Jacaranda FM
The champion is known to take on all up-and-comers, which was evident with his push for Khamzat Chimaev fight next. Unfortunately, the matchup failed to come together as the UFC announced DDP’s rematch against former champion Sean Strickland. Shedding light on the negotiation process, the middleweight champion blamed bad timing causing ‘Borz’ to be snubbed.
Du Plessis admits that he was the most nervous he’s ever been when fighting Adesanya
— Kenny Okoye🇳🇬 (@TruthfulUfcFan) December 17, 2024
“You would think fighting for the title would make you [this] nervous, but it didn’t even come close….the mental battle was insane”@dricusduplessis | @stylebender pic.twitter.com/xm7qXhugQI
Now, the middleweight champion has the chance to shut down more haters who felt Strickland deserved to win their first fight. The close split-decision could have gone either way and DDP aims to win in a more convincing fashion. Speaking about his run in 2024, the African star stated that fighting Strickland wasn’t much of a challenge, but beating Adesanya was the highlight of his life.
Dricus Du Plessis dubs victory over Israel Adesanya his proudest moment
Speaking with Martin Bester for Jacaranda FM, DDP reflected on 2024 as the best year of his career. Not only did the African star win the title, but he also defended it against a legend in Israel Adesanya. Surprisingly, the 30-year-old mixed martial artist picked his victory over Adesanya at UFC 305 as his proudest moment over his crowning moment at UFC 297.
‘Stylebender’ remains the only man to hand Alex Pereira his only loss in the UFC. Moreover, Adesanya has enjoyed an extensive reign at the top, defending his title multiple times. His long reign as the champion certainly grants him a special status among the crop of middleweight champions. This is exactly why DDP dubbed his victory over Kiwi resident as the biggest moment of his career.
Rightfully so, Adesanya is the best to ever do it… The fight went great. I think I couldn’t have asked for a better ending. I was the first to be able to submit him. So I wouldn’t have that any other way. It was definitely the proudest moment of my whole life.
Dricus Du Plessis via Exclusive Interview for Jacaranda FM
DDP still believes the number 3 ranked contender, Khamzat Chimaev, is more deserving of the title shot. ‘Borz’ became the only man to finish Robert Whittaker in the shortest amount of time, which impressed middleweight champion. Despite his next outing being set in stone, ‘Stillknocks’ is vying for a chance to defend his strap against the Chechen fighter next after UFC 312.
Related: Dricus Du Plessis already has a Hall of Fame career after 8 promotional fights, says UFC commentator
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Ayank Chourasia
(91 Articles Published)