Dricus Du Plessis defeated Robert Whittaker in a middleweight bout at UFC 290 on Saturday and was approached inside the Octagon by Israel Adesanya as they hyped a probable title fight in the future.
In the post-fight press conference, UFC President Dana White was asked about the “racial undertones” between Du Plessis and Adesanya as the Nigerian-born middleweight champion dropped a few N-words during his face-off with his likely opponent.
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But as White was being asked the question, he looked perplexed and asked the reporter to clarify his questions. The reporter said Adesanya was saying the N-word “over and over” and dropped “about 50 N-bombs.”
“OK, he’s Black … who gives a s—?” White responded.
Asked about whether he had any concerns about the tension, White responded, “I [couldn’t] care less.”
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“This is the fight business. Israel Adesanya can say whatever he wants to say,” White continued. “Who gives a s—? Why? Are people b—-ing about that? … Of course they are. Oh f—ing aye. All right, got it. Too f—ing bad.”
Du Plessis brushed off the heated moment in his post-fight presser.
“I’m prepared for everything, anything he says,” he told reporters via MMA Junkie. “He’s been acting like a clown in there. That’s not how a champion behaves. That’s not how a man behaves. He’s behaving like a child. Conduct yourself like a champion.”
“There’s people looking 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 behave like a man.”
Du Plessis, a South Africa native, beat Whittaker via TKO and is likely headed for a championship bout against Adesanya at UFC 293.
