Israel Adesanya cries and storms off stage at UFC 305 press conference

The rivalry between Israel Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis is arguably one of the biggest in modern day UFC, and it has now reached a breaking point for Adesanya.

As two of the very best middleweights in the world, Adesanya and Du Plessis were always going to be on a collision course. Things became heated between the pair when the South African claimed he was going to be the first real African champion, despite there being three simultaneous UFC titleholders of African descent at the time.

The comment made things personal for Israel Adesanya, who later insisted that beating ‘Stillknocks’ is bigger to him than any UFC title.

Now, during the UFC 305 press conference, things spiraled put of control once again. A comment by Du Plessis forced Adesanya to become visibly angered.

“Shut the f*** up, you don’t even know anything about my story,” Adesanya said during a fiery back-and-forth with Du Plessis. “You have no idea who the f*** I am.”

“My father and myself had to wake up at 4 a.m. and clean the banks while my mom studies to be a nurse. You don’t know my f***ing story. Don’t f***ing speak on my story if you don’t know my story. I will show you who you are Sunday. So, right now, shut the f*** up.”

Du Plessis pressed on a touchy subject, pushing ‘The Last Stylebender’ to tears.

“He touched a subject there because I do this for my family,” Adesanya said as the tears began to flow. “I do this for the people I love and I will fight for you forever. I swear to God.”

“I am a f***ing human being. I am a man. I can cry and whoop your a** at the same time.”

“I feel the love from the crowd. The first time I fought here [at UFC] 221, that was February 2018. That was me making my dream come true. Sunday, I’m going to f***ing kill your dreams, b*tch. I want to f***ing kill your dreams.”

Related: UFC 305 Face-Offs Video: Dricus du Plessis vs Israel Adesanya GETS HEATED

An emotional Israel Adesanya got the support of fans in attendance and vows to make a statement at UFC 305.

Despite Adesanya’s clear emotional state, that didn’t stop Dricus Du Plessis from poking fun at him when the dust was settled.

The UFC middleweight king took to social media to make fun of his opponent.

“Come on guys, stop crying at the press conferences. It’s not that serious.”

Come on guys stop crying at the press conferences it’s not that serious 🤣

— Dricus Du Plessis (@dricusduplessis) August 16, 2024

I win the screenshot game pic.twitter.com/lgxEBd5TvB

— Dricus Du Plessis (@dricusduplessis) August 16, 2024