The UFC has brought the heated cultural clash between Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya to the forefront as it prepares for its first-ever all-African title fight this Sunday morning.
Adesanya, who reminisces about his “beautiful childhood” in Lagos before moving to New Zealand at the age of 10, has accused Du Plessis of showing disrespect to the so-called ‘African Kings.’
This title was once held by Adesanya, Kamaru Usman, and Francis Ngannou when all three were UFC champions. However, Du Plessis, who became South Africa’s first UFC champion in January, responded by questioning if those belts ever truly belonged to Africa, arguing that because Adesanya, Usman, and Ngannou live and train outside the continent, they have less of a right to call themselves African champions.
After Du Plessis secured his victory over Robert Whittaker in July last year, he confronted Adesanya in the octagon, an encounter that one commentator labeled “the battle for Africa.”
Adesanya, who represents New Zealand, has stated that defeating Du Plessis holds more importance to him than reclaiming the middleweight title he has previously held twice.
Meanwhile, Du Plessis has repeatedly asserted that he is the true African champion because he lives and trains on the continent.
Beyond the rivalry, this fight is also significant for the growth of mixed martial arts (MMA) in Africa, as UFC president Dana White eyes future events on the continent.
Emerging African Fighting Talent
At the Wellness Martial Arts Academy in Lagos’ National Stadium, coach John Anene is witnessing a growing wave of aspiring fighters inspired by stars like Adesanya and Usman, often referred to as the ‘Nigerian Nightmare.’
While the sport is making strides in Nigeria, Anene observes that it is still in a developmental phase, largely due to the lack of advanced training facilities for key fighting techniques.
“Facilities remain a major issue for many of us,” Anene commented. “However, we have a wealth of talented individuals who have the potential to excel.”
Ngannou’s charitable initiative established Cameroon’s first fully-equipped MMA gym in 2019, and Usman has revealed plans to set up a similar training center at the University of Lagos.
Du Plessis trains at the CIT Performance Institute in Pretoria, where coach Stephan de la Rey notes that his success has significantly elevated the sport’s profile. There has been a noticeable increase in both participation and enthusiasm among young fighters.
“The boost in new memberships and young athletes due to his achievements is remarkable,” de la Rey observed.
Nkazimulo Zulu, a two-weight champion with South Africa’s Extreme Fighting Championship, appreciates Du Plessis’s personal support for fighters at CIT. Zulu aims to become a UFC champion and is advocating for greater government investment in sports, believing that fighting could gain similar prominence to rugby in South Africa.
“This gym demonstrates our ability to produce top-tier fighters,” Zulu said. “It offers a positive alternative for young people, steering them away from negative paths. MMA has taught me discipline and provided me with a clear direction.”
UFC Plans Groundbreaking African Event

The UFC views Africa as a key market with a rapidly growing fan base, yet it has yet to hold an event on the continent in its 31 years of operation.
This weekend’s match between Du Plessis and Adesanya in Perth will continue the UFC’s trend of hosting events in Australia, with the organization also having regularly visited Asia, Europe, South America, and the Middle East.
Australia will also feature a rugby union game against South Africa earlier on Saturday. The involvement of Super Sport, a UFC broadcast partner in Africa, has led to discussions about potential crossover events.
One of these events will include Springboks stars Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth, who will join Du Plessis in the octagon before his fight with Adesanya.
White has suggested that a UFC event in South Africa could be on the horizon if Du Plessis wins.
“This is a key focus for Dana and the team, and there’s a strong desire to make it happen soon,” said UFC executive David Shaw about the African plans.
“We’ve seen significant growth in our African fanbase, especially in South Africa and Nigeria.”
“Adesanya is a major star both in Africa and globally. We’re excited about the prospect of staging an extraordinary event in Africa that will have a major impact on the region.”
UFC 305: Africa’s Moment in the Spotlight
Predictions for UFC 305 often reflect the allegiance of each fighter’s supporters, with both Du Plessis and Adesanya having dedicated fans.
A victory for Adesanya would be marked by the tattoo on his chest, highlighting Africa and Nigeria.
Should Du Plessis secure his 10th consecutive win, it could lead to discussions about South Africa hosting UFC events in Africa for the first time.
Anene views the focus on the Africa-centered rivalry as a strategic marketing move that effectively promotes the sport.
“This fight will greatly enhance the visibility of MMA in Africa,” Anene stated.
Bokang Masunyane, a prominent South African strawweight who trains at Du Plessis’ gym and has a background with a Johannesburg charity, supports this view.
“It’s thrilling because he is training and competing from Africa,” Masunyane said. “The spotlight on African fighters is growing, which is fantastic.”