Israel Adesanya in tears in ‘one of the most remarkable pressers’ in UFC history

UFC Middleweight Championship challenger Israel Adesanya has been brought to tears during a heated press conference in Perth ahead of his bout with Dricus du Plessis at UFC305.

Israel Adesanya in tears during UFC Perth presser

Israel Adesanya has been brought to tears during a fiery press conference in Perth ahead of his bout with UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis at UFC305.

Main Event’s Niko Pajarillo labelled the press conference inside Perth’s RAC Arena as “one of the most remarkable press conferences I’ve seen in the history of the promotion.”

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There has been plenty of bad blood brewing for over a year between the two fighters, since this bout was earmarked following du Plessis’ upset win over Robert Whittaker in July last year.

Adesanya has taken heavy exception to the South African champ labelling himself as the first “real” African champion.

Adesanya, who was born in Nigeria before moving to New Zealand when he was ten years old, believes du Plessis’ claim is disrespectful to the likes of himself, Kamaru Usman and Francis Ngannou – three Africans who all became UFC champions after moving abroad.

After what was a fairly respectful opening 20 minutes of the UFC305 press conference, things erupted after Adesanya was asked whether he’ll take the belt back to Nigeria if he wins.

“On Tuesday, I’m going back to Nigeria, I think Friday I’m going to South Africa and then I’m back to New Zealand,” Adesanya said.

“I’m a child of the earth.”

Israel Adesanya in tears during UFC Perth presser

Du Plessis than interjected, which set up an extremely heated back-and-forth.

Du Plessis: Are you taking the servants with you when you are going back? Are you taking the servants with you?

Adesanya: What the f**k are you even on about? Bro shut the f**k up, you don’t know anything about my story.

Du Plessis: I don’t care about your story.

Adesanya: Listen, my father and myself had to wake up at 4am and clean the banks while my mum studied to be a nurse. You don’t know my f**king story. Don’t f**king speak of my story if you don’t know my story. I will show you who you are on Sunday so right now, shut the f**k up.

Du Plessis: I can’t wait. I can’t wait. You’re talking about that I made it about anything else for being the first residing African champion.

Adesanya: You couldn’t even respect the people of the land. You were the one not even doing anything. I took my shoes off to connect with the people, with the mob. What did you do? Just stand there and mean mug me.

Du Plessis: My man.

Adesanya: I’m not your f**king man, b***h!

Du Plessis: I’m the first residing African champion. You can’t change the fact. You can’t change those facts.

Adesanya: I will slay you (sic) pig.

Adesanya would then get emotional when asked if the “energy” du Plessis brought to the press conference and the build up was what he imagined.

Adesanya was emotional. Photo: Fox Sports

Adesanya wiped the tears out of his eyes. Photo: Fox Sports

He also shouted out those in attendance in the RAC Arena, given it was Perth where Adesanya made his UFC debut back in 2018 on the UFC 221 card.

“He hit a touchy subject there because I do this for my family and for the people I love,” Adesanya said while pointing to his family in the front row.

“I am a f**king human being. I am a man. I can cry and whoop your ass at the same time.

“I feel the love from the crowd. The first time I fought here (in Perth) was February in 2018. That was me making my dreams come true. Sunday, I’m going to kill your dreams b***h.”

Earlier in the press conference, du Plessis didn’t shy away from the challenge in front of him, stating he is “ready to die and take a life to win this fight”.

Originally published as Israel Adesanya in tears in ‘one of the most remarkable pressers’ in UFC history