UFC 305: Springbok captain’s brutal fight prediction as fan narrowly avoids disaster
One of the greatest rugby players of all time has weighed in on this weekend’s main event, while a Kiwi fan was lucky to escape unharmed.
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Iconic two-time World Cup winning Springboks captain Siya Kolisi says his countryman Dricus du Plessis will knock out Israel Adesanya this weekend, before taking a fight night back to South Africa for the first time ever.
Meanwhile a brave Adesanya fan narrowly avoided a beatdown from some of the biggest and baddest Springboks players at a wild open workout in Perth.
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South Africa play the Wallabies at Optus Stadium on Saturday night, before du Plessis defends his world title at UFC 305 against New Zealand’s Israel Adesanya at RAC Arena the following day.
A crew of Springboks players joined a raucous crowd at the open workouts in Perth. Captain Kolisi, second-row behemoths Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman, veteran hooker Bongi Mbonambi and star playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu were all in attendance.
The Bok boys were some of the most vocal ‘Still Knocks’ supporters in the crowd, chanting his name and cheering loudly when he appeared on stage.
A rugby tragic and former player, du Plessis is close mates with Kolisi and hinted this week that some of the Springboks might walk him out to the Octagon.
“I have no doubt it’ll be a knockout,” Kolisi said when this masthead asked for his prediction. “I’m backing Dricus, and we’re all behind him in South Africa.
“But knowing the fact that when he wins, he gets the opportunity to fight back in South Africa, there’s nothing more important for us.”
The only man to captain his country to consecutive Rugby World Cup titles, Kolisi was then whisked out of the venue as hordes of fans – even Kiwis – swarmed him for his photo.
Minutes earlier at du Plessis’ fan Q&A, a brave New Zealand fan standing shoulder to shoulder with Kolisi and Etzebeth asked: “What round will Izzy knock you out in?”
It didn’t go down well with the rugby boys, with Etzebeth mean mugging the poor punter and Kolisi shouting, “Shit question!”
Twenty-two-year-old playmaking prodigy Feinberg-Mngomezulu then took the microphone and asked a question.
“Yo, Dricus, before a fight, fighters usually looked drained and washed, but you’re looking tough and ready to go. How are you feeling, bro?”
Du Plessis replied: “I’m feeling great, and looking in shape,” he said to huge cheers. “Everybody’s been talking about Israel Adesanya looking in shape, but muscle is something new to him.
“It’s not something new to me.”
Du Plessis said he contemplated attending the Test on Saturday night, but will settle for watching it on TV from the balcony of his hotel room, which is just minutes away from Optus Stadium.
“I’ll be watching the TV, but I’ll hear the crowd cheering and it’s gonna feel like I’m right there,” he said.
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Originally published as UFC 305: Springbok captain’s brutal fight prediction as fan narrowly avoids disaster
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