…Israel Adesanya thinks DDP vs. Kamaru Usman was great for African MMA
Israel Adesanya has nothing but praise for Dricus du Plessis after this past weekend.
This past Saturday, du Plessis faced off with Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC Oklahoma City, winning a dominant decision over the former welterweight champion. Given the rocky history Adesanya had with du Plessis, and his Adesanya’s long-standing friendship with Kamaru Usman, you might think “The Last Stylebender” would be upset by du Plessis beating up his friend. However, that was not the case, because Adesanya was simply too impressed by du Plessis’ performance.
“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. Some of the shots he was throwing, the selection, and the timing of the knee for that single-leg, that was a good chess move from their team.
“I wanted Kamaru to get it done, but again, it just shows how good Dricus is. And good on him.”
A few years ago, it’s unlikely that Adesanya would have been so sanguine about Saturday’s outcome, as he and du Plessis were once heated rivals, all stemming from an argument about being truly African. At the time, that rubbed the three African Kings — Adesanya, Usman, and Francis Ngannou — the wrong way, and added a layer of animosity to Adesanya’s title fight with du Plessis.
Ultimately, the four African champions buried the hatchet, and now, Adesanya is simply happy about what this fight will do for African MMA.
“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. I think this is just going to expand the talent pool in African MMA more. And I look forward to it.”
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Razhabali Shaidulloev (19-0) vs. A.J. McKee (25-2); Super RIZIN 5, Sep.10
Roberto de Souza (20-4) vs. Shunta Nomura (10-2); Super RIZIN 5, Sep.10
Mikuru Asakura (19-6) vs. Shinya Aoki (49-12); Super RIZIN 5, Sep.10
Yutaka Saito (21-9-2) vs. Ren Sugiyama (2-2); Super RIZIN 5, Sep.10
Vugar Karamov (21-7) vs. Ryo Takagi (11-3); Super RIZIN 5, Sep.10
Daichi Tomizawa (3-2) vs. Ryo Kawabata (0-0); Super RIZIN 5, Sep.10
Ren Hiramoto (4-3) vs. Karshyga Dautbek (19-3); Super RIZIN 5, Sep.10
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