The ball is now in the court of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) chief executive Dana White after Dricus du Plessis defended his middleweight title against Israel Adesanya in Perth, Australia, over the weekend.
In the lead-up to the fight, White said if Du Plessis was successful in his first title defence he would ensure that UFC would soon come to South Africa.
It would not be just any UFC event, but one in which Du Plessis will defend his title for a second time.
“If [Du Plessis] can beat Izzy and bring that belt back to South Africa, obviously we’ll do an event there. And if Izzy can [regain] and win the title, it’s huge for him and his legacy,” said White last week.
“𝐂![CDATA[]]>𝐨![CDATA[]]>𝐰![CDATA[]]>𝐛![CDATA[]]>𝐨![CDATA[]]>𝐲![CDATA[]]>𝐬 𝐝![CDATA[]]>𝐨![CDATA[]]>𝐧’𝐭 𝐜![CDATA[]]>𝐫![CDATA[]]>𝐲.”
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) August 18, 2024
🎥 POV: raw emotions and reactions from Dricus du Plessis after his win.#UFC305 pic.twitter.com/bXMDGhML8y
Title shot
First though, the UFC will have to come up with a fighter to take a shot at the title.
The number one contender is believed to be Sean Strickland. The pair already have a history, as Du Plessis beat Strickland in January to become the first South African to win the middleweight title.
Now it appears, the former champion will look to reclaim the belt he lost to Du Plessis.
The American Strickland though, seems to be diametrically opposed to coming to South Africa to face Du Plessis.
In a poorly constructed argument, Strickland posted on X, formerly Twitter, why he didn’t fancy facing Du Plessis in his back yard.
“You don't want me there, I don't either
highest unemployment rate in the world
The 3rd worst crime rate in the world
It has been ranked as the most unequal place on the earth
It's racist, unequal, you have small white wealthy minority and a poor black majority
Las Vegas;)” said Strickland.
IOL Sport