Reigning UFC middleweight champion, Dricus Du Plessis, has declined to headline UFC 300 and make a title defense against former division champion Israel Adesanya at the anniversary event.
The Nigerian fighter made this known in an interview with Theo Vaughn.
“They called me up and offered me to headline the UFC 300 event and I agreed, but that side didn’t want it,” Adesanya revealed. “Dricus fought Sean Strickland not too long ago, and he may have some minor injuries, but who doesn’t?”
“I’ve had all my last fights with injuries, so I took a break to recover properly. Now I’ve healed everything, but something happens in the training process all the time. It’s impossible to be completely healthy – it’s part of our job”
Earlier there was a rumor that Israel Adesanya will return to the octagon this June at the UFC event in Saudi Arabia and will meet with Hamzat Chimaev, however, the head of the organization, Dana White, reported that this information is not true.
The Nigerian last stepped into the octagon last September, sensationally losing to Sean Strickland by unanimous decision and losing the UFC middleweight title. In January of this year, the division changed champions again when the American lost to South African Dricus Du Plessis by split decision over five rounds.
Recall that the UFC 300 tournament will take place on April 13 in Las Vegas, and its main event will be a light heavyweight title fight between Alex Pereira and Jamal Hill.
Source: https://fighttime.ru/news/item/34037-drikus-dyu-plessi-otkazalsya-ot-boya-s-israelem-adesanej-na-ufc-300.html?rand=19907
