Adesanya Snubbed for UFC 300, Expresses Frustration
Israel Adesanya’s manager, Tim Simpson, has disclosed that the former middleweight champion is frustrated at missing out on a chance to compete at one of the most significant cards in UFC history on Saturday (today). Despite his status as a two-time middleweight title holder, Adesanya did not make the lineup of current and former champions for the highly anticipated UFC 300 event.
Adesanya has previously said he wanted to fight champion Dricus du Plessis, but du Plessis was unable to make the April 13 date after a five-round battle with Sean Strickland at UFC 297 in January.
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Du Plessis confirmed that he made the call not to fight Adesanya at UFC 300, and that decision did not sit well with the Nigerian-born fighter, according to manager Simpson.
Israel was very upset that he didn’t do it,” Simpson said of Adesanya on The MMA Hour.
“I believe Dricus was not ready. I think he had some sort of procedure after the last fight. Again, this is what’s been put publicly by Israel and (coach) Eugene (Bareman). But yeah, he really, really wanted it. He was upset, he wanted to be here and do it, he really, really wanted to do it. He loves big moments, the title fight coming back. I was texting (UFC executive) Hunter (Campbell) and couldn’t get it done on Dricus’ side, but Izzy was ready to go.”
Simpson remains confident Adesanya can book a title fight against du Plessis on the upcoming UFC 305 card on August 17 in Perth, Australia.
