In the lead-up to a highly anticipated UFC middleweight title defense, tensions are running high between the champion, Dricus Du Plessis, and a fellow African, Abdul Razak Alhassan. The Ghanaian has expressed his strong disapproval of Du Plessis’s use of the term “Real African” in reference to his rivalry with former champion Israel Adesanya.
Alhassan, who is set to make his return to the octagon this weekend at UFC Denver, did not mince words when addressing Du Plessis’s comments. “He’s a f***ing b***h a*s to use that word!” Alhassan exclaimed. “If he’s a f***ing real African and he lived in Africa, he would have never used that f***ing word. He’s a f***ing b*tch a*s to use that word, because if he was raised with the poor people in Africa.”
Alhassan, who grew up in poverty in Ghana, argued that any African fighter in his position would have chosen to go to a better place, just as he did by training in Texas. He believes that Du Plessis, as a “Real African,” should have understood the struggles of others and been more mindful with his choice of words.
The rivalry between Du Plessis and Adesanya has been brewing for some time. The South African champion used the “Real African” term to suggest that Adesanya, who was born in Nigeria but now resides in New Zealand, is not a true African champion. This remark did not sit well with Alhassan, who fiercely defended his fellow African fighters.
The upcoming title fight between Du Plessis and Adesanya, set to take place in Perth, Australia, is poised to be a battle of not just skill, but also pride and cultural identity. Adesanya has vowed to “humiliate” the champion for his perceived disrespect towards the “Three African Kings,” a reference to himself and other prominent African UFC fighters.
As the middleweight division continues to see a changing of the guard, the clash between these two African superstars promises to be a captivating and emotionally charged affair. The outcome will not only determine the next champion but also the respect and recognition afforded to the diverse African MMA community.
