In a dramatic and emotional scene, Israel Adesanya, the Nigerian-born New Zealand UFC fighter, left the final news conference for UFC 305 in tears following a heated exchange with middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis. The confrontation took place in Perth, Australia.
The tension between Adesanya and Du Plessis has been brewing for months, particularly around the subject of African identity and culture. Du Plessis, who is South African, has repeatedly emphasized his status as the first “residing” African champion in the UFC, a remark that has clearly struck a nerve with Adesanya.
At the news conference, Adesanya, who plans to visit Nigeria and South Africa after the fight, was interrupted by Du Plessis. The champion sarcastically asked if Adesanya would be “taking the servants with you.” This comment provoked a strong reaction from Adesanya, who responded passionately, “You don’t know anything about my story. Shut the f— up. Listen, my father and myself had to wake up at 4 a.m. to clean the banks while my mum studies to be a nurse, you don’t know my f—ing story.”
Adesanya, visibly emotional, continued to defend his background and the struggles his family endured, making it clear that Du Plessis had crossed a line. “Don’t f—ing speak about my story if you don’t know my story. I will show you who you are Sunday,” he added, his voice filled with emotion.
The exchange then moved to another sensitive topic: the Welcome to Country ceremony, an Indigenous Australian tradition that took place earlier in the week. Adesanya accused Du Plessis of disrespecting the custom, which further fueled the animosity between the two fighters.
The situation escalated when Adesanya was asked about the tension between him and Du Plessis. Overwhelmed with emotion, he pointed to his family seated in the front row and said, “He touched a subject there because I do this for the family, I do this for the people I love and I will fight for you forever, I swear to God.”
“I am a f—ing human being. I am a man, I can cry and whoop your ass at the same time,” Adesanya declared, his voice breaking. He reflected on the significance of fighting in Perth, where he first achieved his UFC dream in 2018. “Sunday I’m going to f—king kill your dreams, b—-, I’m going to kill your dreams,” he said, before banging the desk and walking off the stage.
