Israel Adesanya can make incredibly rare UFC history that only one other fighter has achieved with win over Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305
Israel Adesanya is on the verge of making history at UFC 305.
Adesanya squares off against Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight title on Saturday night in Perth, Australia as he attempts to become a three-time divisional champion.
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The incredible feat has only ever been achieved by one other fighter, Randy Couture, who won three heavyweight titles and two light heavyweight belts during his illustrious career.
Adesanya's first reign of supremacy over the 185lbs division began in 2019 when he knocked out Robert Whittaker.
The Kiwi striker would go on to defend the title five times in the following three years until he came unstuck against his old rival, Alex Pereira.
Adensaya was getting the better of proceedings through four rounds and was up by three points on the judges' scorecards heading into the final frame.
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However, that all came crashing down when he was stunned by a vicious left hook and stopped against the cage.
Adesanya eventually put his demons to bed by returning the favour six months later, but instantly dropped the belt to Sean Strickland in his next outing.
Du Plessis was supposed to face Adesanya last time out at UFC 293, however, the South African striker was forced out of the fight with a foot injury, resulting in Strickland receiving the call.
Both men have been embroiled in a bitter feud since Du Plessis took aim at Adesanya and African-born former champions Francis Ngannou and Kamaru Usman for training and living away from the continent.
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Their rivalry came to a head when they squared off in a racially charged confrontation at UFC 290 in July 2023 after Du Plessis knocked out Whittaker.
Adesanya stormed the cage in the immediate aftermath of the fight and took to the mic to say: “Relax, this is my African brother right here.
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"Let's go, n****. What's up, b****? Let's go, n****. Yeah, n****. What the f*** you gonna do, n****? Yeah, my African brother, yeah, my African brother.
Du Plessis responded: "I'm African, but I'm no brother of yours, son."
Adesanya then suggested that he and Du Plessis do a DNA test to prove their true heritage.
Israel Adesanya posts footage of intense underwater training for UFC 305 fight Dricus Du Plessis
He added: "I'll say one thing: I don't need a DNA test.
"I don't need a 23andMe to tell me where I'm from. If I do a 23andMe, they'll say I'm from Nigeria.
"Do a 23andMe DNA test, it'll tell you where you're from. I will show you where you're from."
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