Dricus Du Plessis Calling The Bulls – On Israel Adesanya claims about some sparring between the two ten years ago.
Adesanya and Du Plessis have a strong competitive build, and all it takes for Du Plessis to win a championship title against “The Last Stylebender” is surpass Robert Whitaker at UFC 290 on July 8. Adesanya hopes that’s what happens. Du Plessis’ comments on what constitutes a true African hero have Eazy ready to “haul his corpse across South Africa”.
Recently, Adesanya brought up some rehearsals that the two of them did together.
“I come from China. I used to do kickboxing there,” Adesanya said while appearing On Logan Paul’s YouTube channel (via MMA News). “I didn’t have MMA, nothing. I was just kickboxing. I had MMA already, but it wasn’t sharp. She was blunt. Jiu-jitsu was very blunt and blunt. So, we’re arguing — I don’t know if we played two rounds.” Or one. It’s been a long time too. This is 2014, so, a long time ago. I remember like it was mine in wrestling. But when hitting, I just messed it up.”
In a new interview with The Schmo, Du Plessis disputes Adesanya’s version of the story.
“Oh yeah, we trained in Thailand together,” du Plessis said. “I think I was 19 at the time. He already had a record in MMA, at the time. I was 3-0, I think? Yeah, I was 3-0 when we trained together. He said I beat him in the scuffles. He 100% right about that. I manhandled him in wrestling and grappling exchanges. But we haven’t had one round of knocks together. Not one.”
I mean, that was his way of saving himself, saying “No, but I beat him to the punch.” We never hit together, not one round. When we quarreled, we fought and fought. We’ve never done a single round of batting together. Not as far as I know, and that’s something you’ll remember, so….”
There is little relevant information to be gleaned from any sparring sessions from a decade ago, but it certainly adds more fuel to the fire that is “The Last Stylebender” vs. “Stillknocks” beef.