Throughout a current look on the Immediately Present Australia, Israel Adesanya took the second to congratulate a former opponent on his current victory.
Robert Whittaker produced back-to-back wins when he stopped Ikram Aliskerov within the late-notice foremost occasion of UFC Battle Evening Saudi Arabia on June 22.
“The Reaper” is now again into the title image after getting Aliskerov out of there within the first spherical to construct on his determination victory in opposition to Paulo Costa at UFC 298 this previous February.
Adesanya and Whittaker have met two instances contained in the Octagon, with “The Final Stylebender” popping out on high on each events.
Whereas reacting to footage of his iconic UFC 243 walkout in Melbourne, the Nigerian-New Zealander took a second to reward his Australian peer.
“I used to be combating the native hero, Rob Whittaker, who simply really had an awesome win per week or two weeks in the past, however I used to be combating him right here.
“It was lovely. Robbie’s that man. We fought twice. We all the time have historical past however it was good to see him again within the win column, and he’s coming for me, so I received to remain prepared.”
Israel Adesanya Says Dricus Du Plessis Feud Is About Respecting ‘The Guys Who Got here Earlier than You’
If Adesanya’s battle with Whittaker — which pitted Australia and New Zealand up in opposition to each other — was an enormous deal, it has nothing on the grudge match that’s on deck for UFC 305.
“The Final Stylebender” is about to lastly go up in opposition to the present middleweight world champion, South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis, and it’s protected to say that they don’t see eye-to-eye.
A lot of the strain between them stems from feedback made by Du Plessis about how him profitable the middleweight title and bringing it again to Africa would make him the primary true African champion as a result of he nonetheless lives and trains out of the continent.
Adesanya spoke about this throughout his current TV look, stating that the shortage of respect being proven to the those who got here earlier than the present champion is the place he feels his subsequent opponent crossed the road.
“For me, it’s it’s a must to honor the blokes who got here earlier than you. He’s the man saying, ‘I’m the true African champion,’ however look, you wouldn’t have been in a position to do what you’re doing at house in South Africa if myself, Francis Ngannou, and Kamaru (Usman) didn’t pave the way in which for you. So it’s a must to respect your elders and I’ll ensure I do this to him.”
Du Plessis and Adesanya will headline the UFC 305 pay-per-view occasion in Perth, Australia, on August 17. The bout comes nearly a yr on from the latter’s most up-to-date look, an upset loss to Sean Strickland in Sydney.
