Dricus calls out Adesanya for next fight: 'Be a man of your word, let's do it!'

Dricus du Plessis has again called out UFC Middleweight rival Israel Adesanya, saying he wants that to be his next fight. 

The 30-year-old South African reached the pinnacle of the sport in January when he beat American Steve Strickland to become world champion, and almost immediately after that triumph, hype started building around a possible showdown with Adesanya. 

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Du Plessis was expected to fight then-champion Adesanya in mid-2023 but pulled out of that bout due to injury, with the 34-year-old Nigerian going on to lose his title to Strickland. 

Now, with both men fit and firing, the stage is set, and UFC boss Dana White has acknowledged that the prospect of the fight taking place on African soil is being considered. 

That is exactly what Du Plessis wants, and in the Hustlers Corner SA podcast with media personality DJ Sbu on Monday, the champion added more fuel to the fire.  

"I think Israel Adesanya is going to be my next fight," said Du Plessis. 

"I want that fight and the people want that fight. In an ideal world, we want that on home soil.

"We are trying. We are talking, definitely. That's what the people want to see and that's what I want to do. I want to fight the best guys.

"This is an entertaining sport and people want to see the fights.

"Who do I fight? I don't care; I'm the champion and I'll fight whoever they put in front of me. But what I want in my heart is to fight the guy that people want to see me fight."

When asked if he has a specific message for Adesanya, Du Plessis replied with: "You claim you want to drag my carcass around in South Africa ... so be a man of your word, and let's do it."