UFC president and CEO Dana White has set the stage for a potential milestone, promising to bring the UFC to South Africa if Dricus du Plessis successfully defends his middleweight title against Israel Adesanya in Perth, Australia, this Sunday.
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This highly anticipated clash at UFC 305 will mark Du Plessis’s first title defence since he made history as South Africa’s first UFC world champion at UFC 297 in Toronto this past January, as Cape {town} Etc reported.
Du Plessis secured his title by narrowly defeating Sean Strickland in a five-round battle, winning by a single point.
This victory not only earned him the championship but also extended his undefeated streak in the UFC to 7-0, with an overall MMA record of 21-2.
As Du Plessis prepares to face Adesanya, the potential for a UFC event in South Africa has excited fans, eager to see their champion defend his title on home soil.
‘If he (Dricus) can beat Izzy (Adesanya), and bring that belt back to South Africa, we will do an event there. But if Izzy can win back the belt, he can retain his legacy,’ White stated during the pre-fight press conference.
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis took to social media to encourage White to bring the growing sport of mixed martial arts to the Mother City, which would make it the first UFC event held on the African continent.
‘Cape Town is always ready for UFC action! Let’s make it happen @danawhite! @dricusduplessis, you’ve got the whole country behind you! Win this one and bring the UFC home!’
Even before Du Plessis defeated Strickland, White had indicated that the 30-year-old fighter could be key to the UFC’s expansion into Africa, particularly South Africa.
White recognised Du Plessis not only as an emerging talent but also as a potential catalyst for introducing the sport to a new audience on the continent.
‘If Dricus becomes the world champion, it’s a no-brainer. We will go to South Africa. Africa has been on my radar for a long time,’ White said earlier this year.
‘Absolutely, positively, Dricus could be the guy to spearhead a UFC Africa event,’ he added. ‘I have been talking about UFC Africa for a long time. Maybe we start looking at South Africa and arenas in the country and possibly doing a fight down there this year.’
Meanwhile, Du Plessis confirmed that Springbok rugby stars Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth will accompany him during his walkout to the octagon for his main card title fight against Adesanya.
The fight is scheduled to begin at 6:30am (SAST) on Sunday morning.
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Picture: Gallo Images
