African MMA triumphs as Du Plessis edges out Adesanya in intense clash
Title Defense Echoes Across Africa's MMA scene
The electrifying middleweight title defense by South Africa's own Dricus du Plessis against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in Perth on Sunday was a resounding victory not just for South African MMA, but for African MMA as a whole. Quintin van Jaarsveld provides an insightful take on this historic event.
History in the Making
The RAC Arena was abuzz with history as du Plessis and Adesanya, representing the first-ever all-African UFC title fight, went head-to-head.
The fierce rivalry between the two started back in 2020, when du Plessis commented on becoming "the first real African champion." Adesanya, holding the heavyweight title at the time with fellow African, Kamaru Usman, reigning at welterweight, saw this comment as disrespectful. Du Plessis cleared up his statement, explaining that he meant being the first fighter based in Africa to secure a UFC title, as the likes of Adesanya, Ngannou and Usman had resided and trained overseas.
A Bite of Steel and Skill
Despite the heated build-up, both warriors showcased immense sportsmanship after their intense showdown. Du Plessis, an unorthodox but adaptable fighter, demonstrated power and skill on the feet, landing blitzes, kicks and right hands and constantly switching stances. Adesanya, with his renowned kickboxing prowess, displayed tactical brilliance, using his range, fight IQ, switch-hitting, and an array of striking techniques to inflict damage.
As the championship rounds approached, the judges' scores were close, with Du Plessis holding a slim advantage. But, it took true South African grit for du Plessis to secure the victory, as he bit down on his mouthpiece, marched forward, connected with a series of heavy right hands, pulled Adesanya to the ground, and sunk in a textbook rear-naked choke to finish the fight in the fourth round.
Crowning a King
Du Plessis became the first UFC champion hailing from South Africa, having proven his superiority against one of the greatest fighters in UFC history. Adesanya showed immense heart, returning strong after the longest lay-off of his career. The two combatants embraced inside the Octagon, showcasing mutual respect and proving the timeless wisdom of Nelson Mandela's words - "Sport has the power to change the world, it has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does."
A New Era Dawns
Africa can proudly claim its first UFC champion, marking a significant milestone in the growth of African MMA. Du Plessis demonstrated that with unyielding determination and the right team, a fighter can achieve greatness without leaving the continent. This victory not only opens more opportunities for African fighters but also strengthens MMA gyms across Africa. Global MMA promotions are likely to look more favorably upon African fighters, ultimately catapulting the sport in Africa to new heights.
African fight fans can look forward to UFC events taking place on home soil, as UFC president Dana White had promised in the lead-up to the fight. Let's celebrate the achievements of both du Plessis and Adesanya and the historic bout they delivered. As we stand united, we witness the dawn of a new era in African MMA - the era of Dricus du Plessis, the undisputed king of the middleweights.
Van Jaarsveld, a seasoned sports journalist, continues to deliver captivating coverage of the sport, bringing us closer to the action and the inspirational figures shaping the future of African MMA.
Promotions taking an interest in African MMA
With Dricus du Plessis crowned as the first UFC champion from South Africa, global MMA promotions are likely to give closer attention to African fighters, as they aim to capitalize on the growing excitement for the sport in Africa.
Predictions on the future of African MMA
The victory of Dricus du Plessis signifies a new era in African MMA, as his story of determination and success with a home-based team inspires other fighters on the continent and possibly leads to an increase in predictions for the growth of the sport across Africa.
