Israel Adesanya praises Dricus du Plessis for the best performance of his career. Du Plessis beat Kamaru Usman by unanimous decision at UFC Oklahoma City. Adesanya broke down the fight on his YouTube channel. His comments matter because these two men share a bitter history.
Why Israel Adesanya Praises Dricus du Plessis Now
Adesanya and du Plessis were once heated rivals. Their conflict started over who counts as a true African champion. That dispute pulled in Kamaru Usman and Francis Ngannou too. It added real tension to their 2024 title fight in Perth.
Time changed things. The four African champions buried the hatchet after that fight. Adesanya now speaks about du Plessis with respect, not resentment. That shift makes his latest praise carry more weight.
What Adesanya Said About the Performance
Adesanya called it the best he has ever seen du Plessis look. He said du Plessis threw punches with better position. He pointed to sharper shot selection throughout the fight. He also praised the timing of a knee that set up a takedown.
Adesanya noted one detail most fans missed. He said du Plessis exited exchanges faster than before. That habit stopped Usman from countering cleanly. Small technical growth like this often gets overlooked in fight recaps that only focus on power and aggression.
The Usman Factor in Adesanya’s Reaction
Adesanya has a long friendship with Kamaru Usman. He admitted he wanted Usman to win the fight. He still gave du Plessis full credit for the performance. That honesty is what separates real analysis from simple fandom.
Usman lost the decision but stayed composed. He kept his cardio even after getting hurt by the knee. Adesanya pointed to this as a sign of Usman’s experience. He did not make excuses for his friend’s loss.
Israel Adesanya Praises Dricus du Plessis for Growing African MMA
Adesanya connected this win to something bigger than one fight. He said African main events pull in continental attention. Every fight like this expands the talent pool. That growth benefits every African fighter in the sport.
Du Plessis last fought for the title against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319. He lost that fight in dominant fashion. This win over Usman marks his first step back toward title contention. It also answers questions about his form after that setback.
What This Means for Du Plessis Next
Daniel Cormier has already raised doubts about an immediate title shot. He pointed to du Plessis’ history with current champion Sean Strickland. That history could complicate any fast track back to gold. The middleweight division stays crowded and competitive right now.
Du Plessis still proved something important in Oklahoma City. He showed he can adjust and win without needing to rely only on aggression. That adjustment is what impressed Adesanya the most. It is also what UFC matchmakers will notice going forward.
Final Thoughts
Israel Adesanya praises Dricus du Plessis because the performance earned it, not because their rivalry ended quietly. Adesanya still rooted for his friend Usman. He still gave du Plessis full credit for sharper striking and smarter positioning. That balance is rare in combat sports commentary. It also confirms du Plessis remains a real threat in the middleweight division, regardless of what comes next in his title path.Â
