Up until this point Dricus du Plessis has been campaigning for a middleweight title defense against former champ Israel Adesanya to take place in Africa, but in a new post on social media he’s suggested that it could happen at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia on August 18th instead.
“Looks like someone wants another beating in Aus,” du Plessis wrote on Instagram.
“I’m in, I also wouldn’t want to fight the king of Africa on home soil. Manifestations working good for you AGAIN!
“#stillknocks #proudlysouthafrican #preparetobeamazed #championoftheworld”
Du Plessis and Adesanya have squabbled over their African heritage in the past, so it made sense that they were both interested in the idea of having the fight take place there, particularly with the UFC also appearing to be keen to expand their reach further into that market.
However it’s easier said than done to put together a major event in a completely new region and so it’s not too surprising that the UFC may be keen to just keep the top of the middleweight division moving by pressing ahead with the showdown at a more familiar destination. And of course it doesn’t hurt that Adesanya is still a major star in that part of the world either.
At this stage no fights are officially booked for UFC 305 though, so it’s still all speculation at this point.
