Israel Adesanya wanted Kamaru Usman to win. He still walked away impressed by the man who beat him.
Dricus du Plessis returned to form at UFC Oklahoma City, controlling Usman over five rounds for a unanimous decision, rocking the former welterweight champion with a clean knee upstairs along the way. Adesanya, who has his own history with du Plessis, broke it down in a post-fight reaction video on his YouTube channel and came away raving.
It’s the best I’ve seen Dricus look. He looked less out of position when he finished punching, when he initiated punching. Sometimes he still did his thing, but he looked really good. Some of the shots he was throwing, the selection, and the timing of the knee for that single-leg, that was a good chess move from their team.
Even with his rooting interest, Adesanya tipped his cap.
I wanted Kamaru to get it done, but again, it just shows how good Dricus is. And good on him.
The praise carries weight given where these two started. Adesanya and du Plessis had a genuinely personal rivalry, much of it centered on du Plessis’ claim to be the “true African champion.” But after “Stillknocks” submitted Adesanya to defend the middleweight title in 2024, the two buried the hatchet and have spoken warmly of each other since.
Du Plessis believes the win earns him a title shot, though many expect a Sean Strickland vs. Khamzat Chimaev rematch for the 185-pound belt instead.
