UFC 305: Why Israel Adesanya broke down in tears at an extraordinary press conference in Perth

One of Israel Adesanya’s closest training partners has explained why tensions have been so high this week leading up to his fight against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305 in Perth.

Israel Adesanya broke down in tears at this week’s press conference. Picture: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

After his tears at one of the most extraordinary press conferences in UFC history, Israel Adesanya was ice cold as he made weight at 184 pounds (83 kilos) just 14 hours later.

‘Stylebender’ was the first fighter to hit the scales at exactly 6am in Perth, with middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis (185 pounds, 84 kilos) following immediately after.

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Both men looked dialled in, but didn’t take any notice of each other just hours after the simmering tension between them boiled over at Friday’s press conference.

With tears running down his face at the presser, Adesanya threatened to: “Kill your f***in dreams” as the emotion of a tense build-up hit home.

Questions of race and identity are at the heart of this rivalry.

Du Plessis claims he’s the “true African champion” because he still lives and trains in South Africa. Meanwhile the Nigerian-born Adesanya spent his teenage years in New Zealand.

Since their fight was announced, they’ve been throwing insults back and forth, arguing about which one of them truly represents Africa.

Adding to the tension is the fact that Adesanya has spoken at length about feeling out of place as an African kid growing up in New Zealand.

This has been one of the most tense build-ups ever. Picture: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Adesanya’s teammate, Kai Kara-France sums it up best.

“You’re tapping into someone’s identity saying he’s not African because he lives and trains in New Zealand,” the flyweight star told this masthead. “It’s more than just personal.

“You’re tapping into someone’s heritage, their bloodline. Growing up in Rotorua and Whanganui, he stuck out because he’s the only African in those regions.

“So, he’s at a crossroads where he doesn’t fit in both places – New Zealand and back in Nigeria. That’s triggering.

“And that’s what’s sparked it. You’ve poked the bear.”

That’s what caused Adesanya’s tears at the press conference, and why those closest to him say he’s been more motivated than usual during this fight camp.

Du Plessis smiles at the crowd despite being booed throughout. Picture: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

On Sunday, he can add another chapter to what has sometimes appeared to be a strained relationship with Australia.

Some of the most pivotal moments of the New Zealander’s UFC career have taken place across the ditch.

He debuted in Perth with an impressive knockout of Rob Wilkinson in 2018, before beating Rob Whittaker 18 months later to claim the middleweight title.

Last year though, he suffered one of the most stunning losses in UFC title fight history when he dropped a unanimous decision and the middleweight title to Sean Strickland in Sydney.

Many fight insiders were surprised that Strickland was the crowd favourite in Sydney, which led Adesanya to tell journalist Ariel Helwani, “Nah, they’re racist” in regards to Aussie fans.

‘Stylebender’ now says those comments were taken out of context.

Adesanya weighs in at 184 pounds. Picture: Getty Images

Du Plessis looked huge at the weigh-ins. Picture: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

“Look, this is politics,” he told this masthead this week. “When a white guy comes in with a Crocodile Dundee hat and plays the game, it’s like politics.

“So, does Australia have an issue with race? Yes, so am I saying anything new? No!

“I’m calling a spade a spade. New Zealand’s racist too!

“So, it’s nothing new, but those who wanna make a problem of it, they can make a problem of it.”

Adesanya’s blunt message doesn’t take away the love he has for Australia though.

“I love Australia,” he said. “Melbourne’s my favourite city in Australia.

“Melbourne and Perth, they’re top two. Melbourne, with its culture, the art, the food and there’s a lot of black faces.

“It just feels so diverse.

“Even the women in Australia are friendlier.

“I have deep ties to Australia, and the fact that whenever New Zealand and Australian fighters roll up together and take on the world, I call it Anzac United, and I think that’s so powerful.”

Originally published as UFC 305: Why Israel Adesanya broke down in tears at an extraordinary press conference in Perth