The pre-fight press conference for UFC 305 wrapped up today and proved to be an eventful one. In particular the back and forth between Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya was quite juicy. At one point Du Plessis was able to bring the former champion to tears. The current champion seems to have a knack for trash talk knowing how to press his opponents buttons. He managed to get Sean Strickland heated and similarly he’s sparked strong emotions from Adesanya.
Dricus Du Plessis Brings Israel Adesanya to Tears At UFC 305 Press Conference
The start of the press conference was pretty tame. Some questions were thrown at Dricus and Izzy regarding how they plan to win and why they don’t like each other. Both men gave their answers and moved on. Hooker and Gamrot were asked questions regarding Gamrot’s method of winning whether it’ll be wrestling heavy or not. Hooker believed it would be Gamrot said he’d put Hooker to sleep which seems unlikely.
Izzy and Dricus still remained respectful until Dricus was asked about his final statement in the media scrum. He brought up how it was strange for Izzy to be showing pictures of him when he was a teenager and focusing on his genitals. Izzy brushed it off saying, “it must have been cold that morning”. Dricus then replied saying “the authorities should be worried”.
Tai Tuivasa was asked about a bet he made with Dricus regarding rugby Tai saying he’ll need to pay Dricus. Kai Kara France was asked about Steve Erceg and if he expected to be fighting him so early in his career and was very complimentary to him. Erceg was asked about fighting in Perth and he complimented the crowd and looked forward to putting on a show.
Rozenstruick was asked about the problems Tai presents to him. He acknowledged the threat Tai presents but also said he is also a threat. Both Tai and Rozenstruick were asked if they expected the fight to go past round 1. Tai said he’s trained for 3 rounds but one of them is going to sleep. Rozenstruick said he’s not crazy and wouldn’t try to trade with Tai.
Dricus was asked if he had extra motivation given he’s in enemy territory. Dricus said he didn’t require extra motivation fighting as if he doesn’t have the belt.
Things Heat Up
Kai was asked recieving boo’s from the crowd he replied saying he feels the love from the crowd. Dricus was asked about if he’s looking for a spectacular finish. Dricus said a win is the priority however if he will go for the finish if it comes. Adesanya was asked about coming off the Alex defeat he produced a great KO what will people say after UFC 305. Izzy talked about trying to show his greatness and how he doesn’t need the belt to show how great he is and wants to remind people.
Erceg was asked about how his week has been. He talked about walking out to a packed stadium being every kids dream and he’s very excited. Dan Hooker was asked about his outfit and his tailor. Adesanya was asked about extra motivation like Dricus he said he doesn’t need extra motivation and Dricus is his motivation.
Izzy was asked if he’d give an iconic celebration following a win he said he won’t know until it happens and this is the fight of his life. Izzy also admitted he was embarrassed by his last fight and also mentioned how active he was as champ. Dricus was asked about his feeling towards the odds Izzy initially being a heavy favourite. Dricus dismissed odds as being truly reflective but said that the odds makers may be seeing what he sees. He also expressed his motivation being stronger than Adesanya’s .
Adesanya asked when did he become the underdog and Dricus replied saying, “nobody said anything about dogs bro chill out”. A dig to Izzy about his past involvement with his dog. Izzy was stunned for a second and was clearly amused then jokingly told him to “shut the f*ck up before I get my coaches tazer to tase your balls”.
Dricus Du Plessis Made Adesanya Heated
Gamrot was asked about being dismissed in regards to a title shot. He said he didn’t care and would make Hooker cry. Hooker was asked if he’ll call for a title shot if he beats Gamrot. Hooker said he can’t looked past Gamrot due to him being so skilled but that being in the top 5 would put him in shooting distance of the belt.
Adesanya was asked about taking the belt back to Africa if he won. Izzy said “On Tuesday I’m going back to Nigeria. I think Friday I’m going to South Africa and the next week I’m coming back to New Zealand. I’m a child of the earth I’m, I’m a child of the earth and when I win this belt I’m taking it everywhere with me.” Dricus then replied asking “Are you taking the servants when you’re going back” and repeated it after Izzy appeared to not hear it. This being a reference to Izzy’s past where he did have servants growing up.
Izzy replied, “what on the f*ck are you even on about” and proceeded to get angry. He said, “bro shut the f*ck up. You don’t even know anything about my story. You have no idea who the f*ck I am.” Dricus responded saying, “I don’t care about your story. I don’t care about your story.” Here Adesanya started tearing up. Adesanya said, “Listen my father and myself had to wake up at 4am to clean the banks while my mum studies to be a nurse. You don’t know my f*cking story! Don’t speak about my f*cking story you don’t know my story!”
Dricus again reiterated,”I don’t care about your story.” Izzy still irritated said “I’ll show you who you are Sunday so right now shut the f*ck up!” Dricus said, “I can’t wait”.
Dricus And Izzy Keep Going At It
Dricus said. “you said I made it about anything else” Izzy interrupted saying, “you did! You did!”. Dricus said, “I am” but continued to get interrupted presumably was going to say the first champion who trained out of Africa to get the belt. Meanwhile Izzy said, “You couldn’t even respect the people of the land. Walk You weren’t even doing anything. I took my shoes off to connect with the people with the mob. What did you do? You standing there trying to mean mug me. Are you stupid?”
Dricus replied saying, “My man” Izzy interrupted, “I’m not your f*cking man b*tch, This is my land”. Dricus replied saying, “oh sh*t, just like that you going to do what I did as the first residing African”. Again Izzy interrupts saying, “sounds you sound like a f*cking pig. I will slay you”. Dricus trying to speak over Izzy said “you can’t change that” referring to being the first fighter training out of Africa to win the belt.
Izzy replied saying “shut up pink fit” Dricus in turn said, “You can’t change the facts. You can’t change those facts.”. After this Izzy didn’t respond and had seemingly cooled off. Tuivasa was asked about securing a win for his home town Tai said win or lose he’ll put on a show. Hooker was asked about him wanting to be on this card and it paying off. Dan talked about everyone being fired up and he looks forward to the crowd.
Izzy Cries
After this Izzy was asked a question and was visibly teary eyed. Izzy was asked about Dricus’ energy and whether it fit with his manifestation. Izzy answered saying ,”He touched a subject there cause I do this for my family, I do this for the people I love, I will fight for you forever I swear to god. Erm watch this I’m a f*cking human being I am a man I can cry and whoop your ass at the same time.” Throughout this sentence he was crying.
He continued saying, “I feel the love from the crowd. The first time I fought him 221 that was February 2018 that was me making my dream come true. Sunday I’m going to kill your dream b*tch. I’m going to f*cking kill your dream.” After this the press conference was finished. And as soon as the conference was over Izzy got up slammed the table and left. In contrast, Dricus got up smiling.
Recently Dricus Du Plessis has shown a flare for getting underneath peoples skin first Strickland and now Adesanya. With both men he’s managed to get very strong emotional reactions in pre-fight press conferences. And this could be to Dricus’ favour if he can get an emotional undisciplined Izzy to engage him in a firefight it makes his life easier. However, he may have woken a sleeping lion or no lasting impact.
It’ll be interesting to see if Dricus du Plessis can continue to get under Izzy’s skin for the remainder of fight week. There’s also the potential impacts Dricus’ words may have on Izzy. Come fight night all will be revealed.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
