Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has put rivalry aside to applaud South African star Dricus du Plessis following his commanding victory over Nigerian mixed martial arts icon Kamaru Usman, describing the performance as the finest of the champion’s career.
The praise came after du Plessis produced an impressive five round display to defeat former UFC welterweight champion Usman by unanimous decision in the headline bout at UFC Oklahoma City. Despite their intense history inside and outside the Octagon, Adesanya admitted that the South African showcased a new level of maturity and tactical excellence that deserves recognition.
For many UFC fans, Adesanya’s comments carried extra significance because the Nigerian born New Zealand fighter and du Plessis once shared one of the sport’s most heated rivalries. Their feud centered on the debate over African identity before eventually culminating in their UFC middleweight title fight in 2024, where du Plessis submitted Adesanya to retain the championship.
Since then, however, tensions between the two African stars have eased considerably, with both fighters showing mutual respect despite their competitive history.
Speaking during his post fight analysis, Adesanya said he was genuinely impressed by du Plessis’ evolution as a mixed martial artist.
According to the former champion, the South African demonstrated improved composure, sharper decision making and greater patience throughout the contest, qualities that allowed him to neutralize one of the greatest welterweights in UFC history.
Adesanya particularly praised du Plessis’ striking combinations and highlighted a perfectly timed flying knee that stunned Usman during the fight.
He explained that every attack appeared well calculated rather than rushed, adding that the South African looked far more polished than in previous performances.
“This is the best I’ve seen Dricus look,” Adesanya said while reviewing the fight, acknowledging that the champion has continued to refine his skills despite already reaching the top of the middleweight division.
Du Plessis entered the contest determined to bounce back after surrendering the UFC middleweight title earlier in the year, and his performance against Usman served as a powerful reminder of why he remains one of the most dangerous fighters in the division.
Across five rounds, the South African controlled the pace with disciplined striking, effective movement and impressive defensive wrestling. Whenever Usman attempted to close the distance or initiate grappling exchanges, du Plessis responded with excellent takedown defense and intelligent counterattacks.
Although the fight went the full distance, the judges awarded du Plessis a unanimous decision after he consistently outperformed the Nigerian across all areas of the contest.
For Kamaru Usman, the defeat marked another difficult chapter in an illustrious career.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest welterweights in UFC history, Usman moved up to middleweight hoping to reignite his title ambitions against one of the division’s elite competitors.
Despite showing his trademark resilience and toughness, the former champion struggled to match du Plessis’ pace and precision throughout the fight.
Even in defeat, Usman earned praise for absorbing heavy punishment while continuing to compete until the final bell.
Adesanya also acknowledged Usman’s determination, noting that the Nigerian veteran never stopped searching for opportunities despite facing an opponent who was in exceptional form.
The respect shown by Adesanya reflects a growing sense of unity among Africa’s biggest mixed martial arts stars.
Their previous disagreements over heritage and identity generated global headlines, but recent events suggest those divisions have largely faded.
Adesanya emphasized that seeing African athletes headline major UFC events continues to inspire the next generation of fighters across the continent, regardless of nationality.
Born in Lagos before relocating to New Zealand as a teenager, Adesanya remains one of the most influential figures in mixed martial arts history.
A former two time UFC middleweight champion, he built his reputation through elite kickboxing skills, exceptional movement and one of the most successful championship reigns in the division.
His memorable victories over Robert Whittaker, Paulo Costa, Jared Cannonier and Alex Pereira cemented his legacy as one of the sport’s modern greats.
Although recent defeats have slowed his championship ambitions, Adesanya continues to command enormous respect throughout the MMA community because of his technical knowledge and achievements inside the Octagon.
For du Plessis, praise from a former rival of Adesanya’s stature represents another important milestone in his career.
It highlights not only his continued development as a fighter but also the respect he has earned from athletes who once questioned his credentials.
As the UFC middleweight division continues to evolve, du Plessis’ commanding display against Usman has strengthened his position among the sport’s elite while reminding fans that he remains one of the most complete mixed martial artists competing today.
