White: DDP Victory Sends UFC To South Africa

UFC South Africa is one victory away from reality.

If Dricus Du Plessis defends his 185-pound strap against former division champion Israel Adesanya in the UFC 305 pay-per-view (PPV) main event this weekend at RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia, then UFC CEO Dana White will stage the next middleweight title defense in “Stillknocks’” backyard.

“You have one of these situations where, both guys, everything is on the line, especially because they dislike each other so much,” White said during a recent press scrum. “And if [Du Plessus] can beat Izzy and bring that belt back to South Africa, obviously we’ll do an event there. And if Izzy can [regain] and win the title, it’s huge for him and his legacy.”

Du Plessis and Adesanya continue to be at odds over the legitimacy of their African heritage, to the point where tempers may boil over prior to the actual fight. The headliners will face off at the UFC 305 press conference, then again during the UFC 305 weigh ins.

“I’m sure [there’s tension]. [It’s a] big fight,” White continued. “Every time guys hate each other like this, the fight usually ends up sucking, but I have a really good feeling this one won’t. You’re talking about, if you’re looking at what Israel Adesanya has achieved in his life, not just here but in kickboxing too, and Dricus, he brings it, man. He comes.”

Just don’t expect White and Co. to get involved.

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