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Former UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya recently claimed that UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis turned down the chance to fight him at UFC 300.
Du Plessis says the reason he isn’t competing next month at UFC 300 is because he would’ve entered training camp injured.
“With the conversations of 300, that would’ve been a massive fight with me and Izzy,” Du Plessis said on Cameron Saaiman’s MSP Show (transcript via Farah Hannoun of MMA Junkie). “It was on the table, 100 percent, but one thing people don’t realize is why would I go and start a camp once again, injured, if I am the champion?
“Taking risks is one thing. I have been taking risks a lot, but why would I risk? I’m the champion now, and I can fight when I’m ready. I think Izzy misjudges himself as still being a champion, and he’s not. You will fight when you get the opportunity. You don’t dictate when I fight.”
The champion last competed at UFC 297, where he defeated Sean Strickland to win the middleweight gold.
While Du Plessis does want to fight Adesanya, the champion would like to have the bout happen in South Africa.
“The fight’s going to happen,” Du Plessis said. “He’s been a big mouth about coming to South Africa and dragging carcasses. I mean, that’s what he said. So, be a man of your word. Step up, do it. Let’s make UFC Africa, let’s make that happen. Obviously, that is what I would love in an ideal situation. Fighting Israel Adesanya on African and South African soil.”
