Under the dazzling lights of UFC 297, Dricus Du Plessis stood tall, his chest rising and falling with heavy breaths after a brutal war inside the Octagon. As the referee raised his hand—signaling the birth of a new champion—Du Plessis immediately pulled the South African flag into the cage, clutching it tightly against his chest.

This was more than just a victory celebration. It was a bold declaration of identity, pride, and legacy.

At that very moment, fans couldn’t help but recall his heated rivalry with Israel Adesanya, one of the most personal feuds in the UFC’s middleweight division. Du Plessis had once fired a shot that shook the MMA world:

“I only said that I am the first champion who lives and trains in Africa, something that has never happened before. I never said that he (Adesanya) wasn’t African. He’s the one bringing race and skin color into this debate!”

That statement hit like a verbal knockout, targeting Adesanya’s sense of identity and pride. And just like that, the flames of controversy were ignited, burning hotter with every exchange.

Three African Champions—But Not Like Du Plessis!

Before Du Plessis claimed UFC gold, the sport had already seen three African-born champions:

Kamaru Usman: Born in Nigeria, but moved to the U.S. at age 8.
Israel Adesanya: Originally from Nigeria, but relocated to New Zealand at age 10.
Francis Ngannou: Grew up in Cameroon but only began training MMA after moving to France at 25.

All three men proudly represent their African heritage, but the truth remains: they built their careers outside of Africa.

Meanwhile, Dricus Du Plessis was born, raised, and trained entirely in South Africa.

This distinction is what makes DDP firmly believe he is the true representative of African MMA. And from this, the war of words with Adesanya exploded into an all-out battlefield!

Black vs. White: Who Is the “Real” African Champion?

What makes this controversy even more compelling is Du Plessis’ skin color. He is an Afrikaner, a group of people in South Africa descended from Dutch settlers who arrived in the 17th century.

The irony? Among the four African-born UFC champions, three Black fighters built their legacies in the West, while the only White fighter remained in Africa to train and fight.

This sparked an endless debate:

Adesanya and his supporters argue that heritage and bloodline define African identity.
Du Plessis counters that it’s about where you live, train, and represent in real-time—not just where you were born.

But let’s not forget: The UFC thrives on controversy!

UFC: The Ultimate Battlefield for Trash Talk!

If there’s one place where words can be as lethal as punches, it’s the UFC.

The sport is infamous for trashtalking legends, from McGregor vs. Khabib to Jones vs. Cormier. Exposing an opponent’s background, family, and personal history has become a brutal psychological tactic.

Du Plessis and Adesanya are no different.

Adesanya, known for his flamboyant and outspoken personality, took the bait. The former middleweight king wasted no time firing back, calling Du Plessis “a colonialist” and mocking him for his European ancestry.

Tensions reached their peak when Adesanya stormed into the Octagon at UFC 290, pointing at Du Plessis and shouting in his face:

“I will show you who the real African is!”

The crowd erupted. The internet exploded. And the MMA world was hooked.

The heat between these two is unlike anything we’ve seen in years. This isn’t just a championship rivalry—it’s personal!

Du Plessis vs. Adesanya: A Fight That Must Happen!

When rivalries get this intense, there’s only one way to settle the score: inside the Octagon.

For a while, it seemed like the UFC would book Adesanya vs. Du Plessis for UFC 300—a colossal fight for a historic event. But fate had other plans.

Adesanya, still recovering from injuries, was unable to compete. Sean Strickland stepped in instead. In a thrilling battle, Du Plessis narrowly defeated Strickland to become the new UFC middleweight champion.

And now, with the belt around his waist, the stage is set for an epic showdown:

Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya: The Fight for Africa!

It’s not just about gold. It’s about pride, identity, and legacy.

The Ultimate Showdown: Will Africa Witness Its Greatest Fight?

With Dricus Du Plessis now reigning as the undisputed UFC Middleweight Champion, the world is waiting for one final chapter in his rivalry with Israel Adesanya. This isn’t just another title fight—it’s a cultural war, a battle for identity, and a legacy-defining moment.

The UFC knows this fight is money. Imagine the pre-fight build-up—press conferences filled with verbal jabs, face-offs that send shockwaves through the MMA world, and a fight week dripping with tension. It’s the perfect storyline, and fans are desperate to see it unfold.

But will it happen?

Adesanya has been on a rocky road, suffering a stunning loss to Sean Strickland before stepping away to recover. Is he still the same fighter who once ruled the division?
Du Plessis has momentum, but can he handle the pressure of facing one of the greatest middleweights in history?

What’s Next? Will This War Ever End?

No matter who wins or loses, one thing is certain: the Du Plessis vs. Adesanya feud won’t end anytime soon.

If Adesanya reclaims his belt, he will undoubtedly seek revenge against DDP.
If Du Plessis continues his reign, the debate over who the real African champion is will rage on.

One way or another, this battle is far from over. It’s not just a fight—it’s a war of identity, legacy, and pride.

As the Octagon doors close, the world will still be asking:

Is it skin color or where you train that defines an African fighter?