Du Plessis did not give up the championship belt to Adesanya | Martial Arts

The fight between South African boxer du Plessis and Nigerian-born but New Zealand-representing Adesanya has been much anticipated after du Plessis caused a stir last year when Adesanya was hailed as the African champion. Du Plessis claimed Adesanya was not truly African because he moved to New Zealand at the age of 21 and began his successful kickboxing career there.

Adesanya became the UFC middleweight champion in late 2019 and defended the title five times in three years, but lost to Alex Pereira. However, Adesanya emerged victorious in the rematch, but the reign was short-lived, as the dynamic fighter lost to Sean Strickland in his next fight. Strickland also lost the title immediately after winning it, as he had to concede to Du Plessis in his first fight.

Adesanya got another chance to win the belt in the early hours of Sunday morning Estonian time, and after a thrilling draw with du Plessis in the fourth round, Adesanya seemed to be gathering momentum, but the South African managed to hit Adesanya with a left hook and a long volley, and the champion followed.

Du Plessis took the fight to the mat, keeping Adesanya at bay and the former champion was forced into submission.

The great enemies embraced and buried the hatchet after the match. “I’m sorry if I didn’t seem to respect the fact that he’s from Africa,” said the 30-year-old du Plessis after his victory. “That was never my intention. Africa would have won today regardless, but South Africa held on. It’s an honor to share the cage with such a legend and I have nothing but respect for him.”

For du Plessis, it’s ten straight wins and eight in the UFC series. However, the international fights at middleweight don’t seem to be over yet, with the aforementioned Strickland posting on social media after the fight that du Plessis is Dutch. Series president Dana White confirmed that Strickland will have another chance to win the championship belt.