Tearful Israel Adesanya explodes on Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305 presser: ‘You don’t know my f*cking story’

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya kept thing somewhat respectful throughout the early stages of UFC 305 fight week. That changed in a hurry at Friday’s press conference.

In an emotional scene that saw a furious Adesanya break out into tears, the two middleweights erupted in an explosive back-and-forth in Perth, Australia, ultimately tying it back to the same debate over what constitutes a true African champion that initially ignited their rivalry.

After Adesanya responded to a question about whether he’d take the belt back to Africa if he dethrones du Plessis, the champ jumped into the fray with a swipe at his challenger’s childhood, referencing a 2020 ESPN feature in which Adesanya recalled not learning how to bathe himself until age 8 “when he insisted he no longer needed the aid of the family’s domestic servants.”

“Are you taking the servants with you when you’re going back [to Africa with the belt]? Are you taking the servants with you if you’re going back?” du Plessis asked.

“What the f*ck are you even on about?” Adesanya responded.

“My God, it’s obviously a see and tell. We can see that. What do you mean? You’re saying that I made [the build-up to UFC 305] about culture?” du Plessis said.

“Bro, shut the f*ck up. You don’t even know anything about my story. You have no idea who the f*ck I am,” Adesanya shot back.

“I don’t care about your story. I don’t care about your story,” du Plessis repeated.

“Listen, my father and myself had to wake up at 4 a.m. and clean the banks while my mom studies to be a nurse,” Adesanya said. “You don’t know my f*cking story. Don’t f*cking speak on my story if you don’t know my story. I will show you who you are Sunday, so right now shut the f*ck up.”

“I can’t wait,” du Plessis responded. “You’re talking about, I made [the build-up] about anything else than being the first residing African champ. I am the first.”

“You did, you did,” Adesanya said. “You couldn’t even respect the people of the land. [At the] welcome to the country [ceremony to start UFC 305 fight week], you were the one not even doing anything. I took my shoes off to connect with the people, with the [natives]. What did you do? You stand there and try to mean mug me. Are you stupid?”

“My man,” du Plessis started.

“I’m not your f*cking man, bitch,” Adesanya interrupted. “... You sound silly, you sound like a f*cking pig. I will slay you, Porky Pig.”

“You can’t change the facts,” du Plessis replied. “You can’t change those facts.”

Du Plessis, 30, and Adesanya, 35, have feuded since the South African du Plessus declared in March 2023 that he wanted to be the first true African UFC champion, reasoning that he still resides and trains in Africa whereas then-champs Adesanya, Kamaru Usman, and Francis Ngannou — all Africa-born — ultimately moved away before finding success.

Adesanya took exception to du Plessis’ remarks and the rivalry has only grown more fervent in the 16 months since. That tension finally boiled over for the former champ.

“He touched a subject there because I do this for my family,” a tearful Adesanya said, his voice breaking. “I do this for the people I love, and I will fight for you forever, I swear to God. Watch this. Look, I am a f*cking human being, I am a man. I can cry and whoop your ass at the same time.

“First time I fought here [in Perth], [UFC] 221, that was February 2018, that was me making me dreams come true. Sunday, I’m going to f*cking kill your dreams, bitch. I’m going to f*cking kill your dreams.”

Du Plessis captured the UFC middleweight title in January with a split decision win over Sean Strickland at UFC 297. The first South African champion in promotional history, du Plessis holds a perfect 7-0 record in the octagon, earning stoppage wins over the likes of Robert Whittaker, Darren Till, and Derek Brunson, among others.

Adesanya is a two-time former UFC middleweight champion. “The Last Stylebender” was expected to defend the belt against du Plessis in late 2023, but du Plessis was unable to make the date and Adesanya instead fought Strickland, losing in a shocking and one-sided upset. Adesanya’s 12-fight win streak at 185 pounds to kick off his UFC career was the second-longest streak in UFC middleweight history, second only to MMA legend Anderson Silva, however his 11-month layoff since the Strickland loss is the longest of his career.

Du Plessis initially opened as a betting underdog in the grudge match, although those odds have continued to narrow as UFC 305 draws near. For the champ, that’s a telling sign.

“There’s no place for odds in the octagon, I have to say that, but obviously the oddsmakers are seeing what I know and seeing what the people are seeing,” du Plessis said. “It’s pretty evident. Like I said, the man needs to be motivated to be back here. He had an emotional feel to be back here. He said it, he’s motivated by me, that’s what gets him back in here.

“I’m motivated by greatness. I’m not motivated by some person. If he doesn’t step in, I’ll be the same motivated fighter that steps in there, and anybody can see this. Once again, it’s about how bad do you want it. It’s pretty evident how bad I want this. And on Sunday morning, there will be no doubt of how bad I wanted this.”

UFC 305 takes place August 18 at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.

Watch the fiery exchanges between du Plessis and Adesanya above.