Nigeria's Israel Adesanya cries ahead of UFC 305 showdown against Dricus du Plessis
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See why tears were running down the cheeks of Nigeria's Israel Adesanya during the UFC 305 press conference against Dricus du Plessis.

Nigeria's Israel Adesanya cries ahead of UFC 305 showdown against Dricus du Plessis

Tosin Abayomi 03:50 - 17.08.2024

See why tears were running down the cheeks of Nigeria's Israel Adesanya during the UFC 305 press conference against Dricus du Plessis.

Before his battle against middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia on Saturday, Nigerian Mixed Martial Artist Israel Adesanya tears during a heated press conference.

Former champion Adesanya got upset by South Africa's Du Plessis when he asked him if he would be "taking the servants" when he traveled to his home country of Nigeria and New Zealand the next week.

In reaction to an interview Adesanya had this week with The Mac Life, in which he mentioned having "maids" in the family as a child, Du Plessis decided to attack his opponent.

After a heated exchange between the two, Adesanya broke down in tears when he saw his family in the crowd.

See why tears were running down the cheeks of Nigeria's Israel Adesanya during the UFC 305 press conference against Dricus du Plessis.
See why tears were running down the cheeks of Nigeria's Israel Adesanya during the UFC 305 press conference against Dricus du Plessis.

Adesanya explains 'maid' comment in tears

Adesanya then went on explain why he continues in the UFC.

Adesanya said, "He touched a subject there because I do it for my family, I do it for the people I love. I will fight for you forever, I swear to god.

See why tears were running down the cheeks of Nigeria's Israel Adesanya during the UFC 305 press conference against Dricus du Plessis.
See why tears were running down the cheeks of Nigeria's Israel Adesanya during the UFC 305 press conference against Dricus du Plessis.

"Look, I am a human being, I am a man. I can cry and whoop your ass at the same time."

"Shut up, you don’t know anything about my story. You have no idea who I am.

"My father, myself, had to wake up at 4am and clean the banks while my mum studied to be a nurse. Don’t speak of my story if you don’t know my story."

See why tears were running down the cheeks of Nigeria's Israel Adesanya during the UFC 305 press conference against Dricus du Plessis.
See why tears were running down the cheeks of Nigeria's Israel Adesanya during the UFC 305 press conference against Dricus du Plessis.

Adesanya is fighting for the first time in 11 months after taking a break from the sport.

Tension between Adesanya and du Plessis

Du Plessis stated last year that he would become the first "real African" UFC champion, externally stating that he lives on the continent while previous champions Adesanya, Kamaru Usman, and Francis Ngannou had relocated elsewhere.

See why tears were running down the cheeks of Nigeria's Israel Adesanya during the UFC 305 press conference against Dricus du Plessis.
See why tears were running down the cheeks of Nigeria's Israel Adesanya during the UFC 305 press conference against Dricus du Plessis.

He reaffirmed his claim to Adesanya during the press conference after winning the title in January, which heightened tensions between the two.

Adesanya wants to become the first middleweight champion in promotion history to win the title three times.

The main event of UFC 305 is expected to feature the first-ever all-African title fight in UFC history.

See why tears were running down the cheeks of Nigeria's Israel Adesanya during the UFC 305 press conference against Dricus du Plessis.
See why tears were running down the cheeks of Nigeria's Israel Adesanya during the UFC 305 press conference against Dricus du Plessis.

Du Plessis vs Adesanya Time and where to watch

Du Plessis takes on Adesanya on Sunday, August 18, 2024.

The middleweight event will be the main event and start at 3.00 Am Nigerian time.

It will be available for Nigerians to watch on Supersport.

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