I will be the first African residing champion: Dricus Du Plessis targets title

Dricus Du Plessis wants to be the first African residing champion. Speaking to MMA Hour, he noted that he resides in Africa.

“I think people are making this an issue that is not there. This is, purely, two guys fighting. This is me vs. Israel Adesanya. For me, there is no, ‘I’m more African, you’re more African.’ I reside in Africa. He doesn’t. That is a fact. That is not my opinion. That is a fact. He’s African, his heritage is African, of course. But that does not change the fact that I want to be and will be the first African-residing champion," he said (h/t MMA Fighting). 

The South African feels that he is the aptest challenge for Adesanya after Izzy’s recent win over Alex Pereira.

“I think so. Like I said, as a fighter, I have all the respect in the world for him. He has done amazing things. I think he might be one of, if not the greatest middleweights of all time. Obviously, competing with the great Anderson Silva, that’s a very hard case to make, but he’s an incredible fighter. ... But I’m the No. 1-ranked guy that he has not fought. Unless they are going to do a Whittaker 3, which I do not see happening, and they’re definitely not going to do a trilogy match [for Pereira], unless Adesanya decides to go up to light heavyweight again, I don’t see them doing that, so I’m the next guy for the belt. That’s the only thing that makes sense. I will be more than happy to accept that fight. I don’t see any other option,” he added.

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However, he added that he will be fine if the UFC gives him another fight before the title fight.

“I answer to the UFC. At the end of the day, if I beat them now, or I beat them when I win the belt, it doesn’t matter to me. To me it doesn’t make any difference. If they give me a No. 1 contender fight, that’s up to them, but I honestly believe they’re going to give me a title fight, and I want that title fight. But if they don’t, there’s nothing we can do about it. I’ll go out there, I’ll fight, I’ll win. I don’t say no to fights. I’ll go out there, do what I have to do, win another fight, and prove once again that I belong in that position,” he added.

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What do you think of the take from Dricus Du Plessis? Let us know in the comments below

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