Adesanya Praises Du Plessis After Usman Victory

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya praised Dricus Du Plessis after Du Plessis secured a dominant unanimous decision victory over Kamaru Usman on Saturday night. Adesanya described Du Plessis's performance as the best he has seen from the South African, highlighting Du Plessis's control throughout the five-round contest.

Despite his friendship with Usman and a previous rivalry with Du Plessis, Adesanya expressed admiration for Du Plessis's skills, particularly noting the selection and timing of his strikes. Adesanya mentioned that he had hoped Usman would win but acknowledged Du Plessis's talent.

He also emphasized the broader implications of the fight for African representation in mixed martial arts, stating that when two African fighters headline an event, it draws significant attention from the continent, which he believes will help expand the talent pool in the sport.