Dricus Du Plessis vs Israel Adesanya: War between South Africans and Nigerians breaks out on social media

In the main event of UFC 297 held at Scotiabank Arena on Sunday morning, Dricus Du Plessis defeated Sean Strickland in a thrilling, brutal, back-and-forth battle.

Du Plessis ultimately received a split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47) but it could have easily gone Strickland's way as well.

Du Plessis raised the South African flag when the scorecards were read.

With a brutal, piston-like jab early in the fight, Strickland had a lot of success.

Due to this, Du Plessis found it difficult to launch his attack as well as to resist it.

Du Plessis made a huge impact in the fourth round by cutting close to Strickland's left eye and injuring him with a powerful right hand.

Although Strickland performed admirably in the fifth, Du Plessis silenced the detractors of his cardio by demonstrating his mettle in a championship battle.

Following the fight, Du Plessis demanded a fight with Israel Adesanya, the adversary who has declared he will be taking a break from the Octagon and is a former UFC middleweight champion.

In July of last year, Adesanya and Du Plessis confronted each other after a fight in the cage.

September of last year was scheduled to be the bout, but Du Plessis hurt his foot.

He said, “Israel Adesanya get your ass back in the UFC so we can settle the score.”

Nigerians and South Africans go to war because of Israel Adesanya vs Dricus Du Plessis

It was expected that at in September 2023 UFC 293 event in Sydney, the Nigerian and New Zealand professional mixed martial artist Israel Mobolaji Adesanya and the South African would square off in a fiery grudge bout as a result of the South African's triumph against Whittaker.

Adesanya and Du Plessis engaged in an intense octagon confrontation after the bout.

In his face-to-face post-fight exchange with the South African fighter, Adesanya frequently used the N-word.

Adesanya was stoically gazing down on the top middleweight challenger as the South African Du Plessis celebrated his stunning triumph.

The New Zealander of Nigerian ancestry shoved his subsequent adversary in the face, but he insisted that he and his "African brother" wouldn't get physical during their exchange.

Then, in a series of remarks, "Stylebender" addressed issues of race, which have been central to his developing conflict with du Plessis.

Du Plessis raised controversy by criticizing past champions Francis Ngannou and Kamaru Usman as well as the African representation of Adesanya.

Du Plessis takes issue with Adesanya, Usman, and Ngannou claiming Africa while training and residing abroad, even though they were all born in Africa.

Dricus Du Plessis vs Israel Adesanya reaction by Nigerians and South Africans

The call-out of Adesanya by Du Plessis has gone viral on social media.

It also reignited the long-standing rivalry between Nigerians and South Africans.

UFC fans now want Adesanya and Du Plessis next to determine who is the Giant of Africa.