Dricus du Plessis paid tribute to the legendary Israel Adesanya after successfully defending his middleweight title in the main event of UFC 305 on Saturday. Du Plessis shared the Octagon for the first time with Adesanya, a Nigerian-born fighter, securing a submission victory in the fourth round of their bout. Du Plessis praised Adesanya after the match and also apologized for making some careless remarks earlier. “I’m really sorry that I didn’t respect the fact that he’s from Africa, that was never my intention,” Du Plessis said. “Tonight, Africa would have won no matter what, but the winner was South Africa tonight.” It was an honor to share this cage with such a legend; I have the utmost respect for him, fighter against fighter.” Du Plessis added that he knew he would have to be at the top of his game to beat Adesanya. “[He is] one of the best strikers ever in this division. I needed that removal, I got it. It’s hard to keep people at that level. This man is the king of getting up, no one can take him down and keep him there. “I landed some good ones, I landed some good punches, but at the end of the day I believe he won this fight on the feet. I’m alive right now, that’s just a bonus; I came here to die for this belt and I came to take it home.” Meanwhile, Adesanya opened up after the defeat, adding that he was always in the game but his one mistake ultimately cost him the draw. “I felt strong, I resisted his takedowns well. I just made a stupid, stupid mistake on the ground and he adjusted well to Gable’s grip and caught me,” Adesanya said. “I’m disappointed in myself, but I’m proud at the same time. He was just the better man that night and I give him respect for that.”
