In a significant announcement made by UFC CEO Dana White on Tuesday night, it was revealed that a potential victory for South African fighter Dricus du Plessis in his upcoming title defense against Israel Adesanya could pave the way for the UFC's first-ever event in South Africa. The highly anticipated bout is set to take place this coming weekend at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia.

White expressed the significance of the matchup, emphasizing the high stakes for both fighters. "Both guys have a lot on the line, especially given their intense dislike for each other," White stated. "If Dricus can emerge victorious and bring the belt back to South Africa, there's no doubt we'll organize an event there. Conversely, a win for Izzy would be monumental for his legacy and his comeback."

UFC 305 is scheduled for August 18th at the RAC Arena in Perth.

At the age of 30, Dricus du Plessis has made history as the first South African champion in the UFC. He secured the middleweight title in January with a split decision victory over Sean Strickland at UFC 297. With an impressive octagon record of 7-0, du Plessis has demonstrated his prowess with stoppage wins over notable opponents such as Robert Whittaker, Darren Till, and Derek Brunson.

Israel Adesanya, a two-time former UFC middleweight champion, was originally slated to face off against du Plessis later in 2023. However, due to scheduling conflicts, Adesanya instead faced Strickland in a surprise matchup. Despite holding a remarkable 12-fight win streak in the middleweight division during his UFC career, Adesanya experienced an unexpected and lopsided defeat. This streak was second only to MMA legend Anderson Silva in terms of consecutive victories in the UFC middleweight division.

Over the past year, du Plessis and Adesanya have engaged in a heated rivalry, primarily centered around du Plessis' stance on what constitutes a "true African champion."

Considering the history between these two fighters, White anticipates a tense atmosphere leading up to their bout in Perth. "I believe there's definitely tension," White commented. "This is a big fight, and whenever there's such animosity between fighters, it often impacts the quality of the match. However, I have a strong feeling that this one won't disappoint."

With the potential for a historic event in South Africa and the high stakes for both fighters, all eyes are on Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya as they prepare for their highly anticipated showdown at UFC 305.