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ItalianoIsrael Adesanya Praises Dricus du Plessis' Career-Best Performance
Israel Adesanya has praised Dricus du Plessis' career-best performance against Kamaru Usman at UFC Oklahoma City.
What happened?
Du Plessis defeated Usman via unanimous decision in the main event of UFC Oklahoma City on Saturday, 15 Jul 2023. The win marked a significant comeback for the South African fighter, who had lost to Khamzat Chimaev in a blowout at UFC 319 nearly a year ago.
Why it matters for Israel Adesanya
Adesanya, a longtime rival of du Plessis, showered praise on the South African fighter for his dominant showing against Usman. "It's the best I've seen Dricus look," Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. "He looked less out of position when he finished punching, when he initiated punching. Sometimes he still did his thing, but he looked really good."
What comes next?
Adesanya believes that du Plessis' impressive win further strengthens African MMA, which has been gaining momentum in recent years. "It's good for us anyway," Adesanya said. "Just for African MMA. Because off this: every time one of these happens, look, another two African fighters fight in the main event, the whole continent is going to watch. Even though it's just a Fight Night, they're still gonna watch and support."
Adesanya's comments highlight the growing influence of African MMA fighters in the UFC. With du Plessis' win, the South African fighter has cemented his status as one of the top middleweights in the world. As Adesanya noted, du Plessis' performance was a testament to his skill and dedication to the sport.
The win also marks a significant milestone for African MMA, which has been gaining recognition in recent years. With fighters like du Plessis and Adesanya leading the way, the continent is poised to make a major impact in the world of MMA.
As Adesanya said, "I think this is just going to expand the talent pool in African MMA more. And I look forward to it." With du Plessis' career-best performance, the future of African MMA looks brighter than ever.