Dricus Du Plessis defeated Robert Whittaker in a middleweight bout at UFC 290 on Saturday and was approached inside the Octagon by Israel Adesanya while promoting a likely future title fight.
In the post-fight press conference, UFC president Dana White was asked about the «racial undertones» between Du Plessis and Adesanya when the Nigerian-born middleweight champion dropped some N-words during his confrontation with his possible opponent.
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UFC President Dana White speaks to the media after the UFC 290 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 8, 2023 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
But when White was asked the question, he seemed puzzled and asked the reporter to clarify his questions. The reporter said Adesanya was saying the N-word «over and over again» and dropped «about 50 N-bombs.»
«Okay, he’s Black… who gives a f*ck?» replied the white.
When asked if he had any concerns about the tension, White replied: «I [couldn’t] careless.»
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UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, left, faces Dricus Du Plessis of South Africa during the UFC 290 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 8, 2023 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
“This is the fighting business. Israel Adesanya can say whatever he wants,” White continued. «Who gives a shit? Why? Are people fucking over it?…Of course they do. Oh fuck yeah. Okay, I got it. Very fucking bad.»
Du Plessis played down the heated moment in his post-fight news conference.
«I’m ready for anything, anything he says,» he told reporters via MMA Junkie. «He’s been acting like a clown there. That’s not how a champion behaves. That’s not how a man behaves. He’s behaving like a child. Behave like a champion.»
«There are people who look up to you and you’re behaving like that? If that sells tickets, then good for him. I’ll sell tickets my way. I’m a gentleman. I’m a man and I’ll do it.» behave like a man.»
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Israel Adesanya attends the UFC 290 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 8, 2023 in Las Vegas. (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Du Plessis, a native of South Africa, defeated Whittaker by technical knockout and is likely heading into a championship fight against Adesanya at UFC 293.