Combat sports have a way of resolving conflicts.
Israel Adesanya and Dricus du Plessis set aside their intense rivalry during the UFC 305 main event. Du Plessis emerged victorious with a fourth-round rear-naked choke submission to defend his UFC middleweight title. In a show of sportsmanship, du Plessis praised Adesanya, referring to him as a “legend” and a future “Hall of Famer.”
After the fight, Adesanya expressed a newfound respect for du Plessis, indicating a willingness to hang out with him in the future despite the possibility of a rematch. Adesanya no longer harbors the same intense desire to avenge his loss as he did before their recent bout.
Adesanya stated, “I’m not really desperate to get it back.” He acknowledged the respect shown by du Plessis during the fight and reciprocated it. Adesanya recognized du Plessis as an African champion and praised him for inspiring a new generation of fighters. He congratulated du Plessis on his victory and hinted at a potential rematch in the future.
Following the match, there was a fleeting moment where Adesanya appeared to contemplate retirement as he removed his gloves in the octagon, a gesture commonly associated with retirement in combat sports. Du Plessis even thanked Adesanya for their battle during his post-fight interview, acknowledging the potential retirement.
However, Adesanya clarified that the glove removal was not a retirement signal, dismissing speculations about his retirement plans. He emphasized the uncertainty of life and the need to cherish every moment, hinting that retirement remains a distant prospect for him.
Adesanya assured fans that his fighting career is far from over but refrained from setting a definite timeline for his return to the octagon. He urged fans to savor his performances while they can, acknowledging that his time as a fighter will eventually come to an end.
“You’ll see me again when you see me again,” Adesanya concluded. “Enjoy me while I’m here because you will miss me when I’m gone.”
