Du Plessis talks Adesanya’s UFC break

The stage seemed set for a showdown between Dricus Du Plessis and then-champion Israel Adesanya following the South African’s victory over Robert Whittaker at UFC 290. The pair even engaged in a viral and fiery faceoff inside the octagon.
Adesanya expressed interest in competing at UFC 293 in Australia, necessitating a swift turnaround from Du Plessis. However, an unfortunate foot injury prevented the South African fighter from participating.
This turn of events opened the door for Sean Strickland to step in and challenge for the title instead. The American laid hands on the middleweight gold with a resounding unanimous decision victory over Adesanya.
Now, with Adesanya opting to take some time away from the sport, the UFC has shifted gears, handing Du Plessis the coveted opportunity to challenge Strickland for the title at UFC 297.
Speaking about the latest developments and Israel Adesanya’s decision to take some time away from the sport in a recent interview with James Lynch, Dricus Du Plessis stated:
“The man [Adesanya] was active. As a champion, he showed up and didn’t shy away from fights. He fought everybody, some people twice. He deserves some time away from the sport. He said 2027… If he comes back in 2027, he’s going to get hurt. You shouldn’t do that.”
Du Plessis also offered some advice to the former champion, adding,”Take some time off. Maybe a year, that will be good for him. He earned that as one of the best to ever do it in the middleweight division. Right now, as a person I do not like Adesanya… But, as a fighter, as a martial artist, a guy that also embodied the martial artist way, he needs to stay strong right now.”