Dricus Du Plessis, South Africa’s UFC middleweight champion, will face opponent Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in Perth on Sunday.
Du Plessis will be joined to the octagon by Springboks captain Siya Kolisi and lock Eben Etzebeth for the highly anticipated battle in the Western Australian capital.
The Springboks face the Wallabies in a Rugby Championship match the day before the fight on Saturday at Optus Stadium in Perth. The majority of the squad will attend the fight on Sunday.
Kolisi will be rested for Saturday’s Test, while No. 4 enforcer Etzebeth has been named on the bench.
“We’re attempting to persuade Eben and Siya to accompany me out, and it appears that we’ve succeeded. They won’t be sitting in my corner, but will accompany me to the octagon,” Du Plessis said on KFM Mornings Breakfast with Darren Simpson.
“I can’t say what song I’m going to walk out to … that is a surprise!”
The main fight event begins at 4 a.m. SA time, but Du Plessis stated that his contest with Adesanya will take place after 12 p.m. on Sunday.
It will be Du Plessis’ first title defense since becoming the first South African world champion at UFC 297 in January, when he defeated Sean Strickland in Toronto.
Strickland and Du Plessis competed for five rounds, with the South African winning by a single point to dethrone the then-champion.
“This works great for me. I’ll be fighting in Perth between noon and one o’clock in the afternoon. “So it’s ideal for South Africans,” Du Plessis explained.
“Because Perth is so far ahead, I’m battling on Sunday while the Springboks play on Saturday. They’ll all be there for the battle, which will be fantastic.
ONE WEEK AWAY 👀
Who do you got? #UFC305 pic.twitter.com/NBRYTi5zBf
— UFC (@ufc) August 11, 2024
“The Boks are playing, they are the pride of South Africa, and I am battling all in the same weekend. Talk about the stars aligning.
“Once I wrap that South African flag around my shoulders, nothing in the world can stop me. “He can knock me down, but he won’t knock me out or keep me down.”
Adesanya last competed in the UFC in September, losing the middleweight belt to Strickland at UFC 293.
Adesanya has previously regained the title, which is why Du Plessis expects a strong challenge from the Nigerian-New Zealander despite his lengthy sabbatical from the sport.
Today our new minister of sports @GaytonMcK visited myself and team CIT.
I am humbled and so proud, this is a massive step in the right direction for the change we needed for a better SA. Thank you Sir for leading by example,you are a true inspiration#proudtobesouthafrican🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/AsEGk8r9Un— Dricus Du Plessis (@dricusduplessis) July 30, 2024
“He’s been out for about a year. It all depends on what he’s been doing this year, whether he’s been training or simply taking a rest. “A break can be beneficial at times,” Du Plessis explained.
“I expect the best version of him. That is what we are preparing for, and it is better than the previous edition. That’s the one I’m prepared for.
