South African Mixed Martial Arts star Dricus du Plessis defended his UFC middleweight title with a fourth round submission of former champion Israel Adesanya.
Going blow for blow with the kick boxing specialist, du Plessis played the long game before a fourth and final takedown to seal the deal in front of a rampant crowd in Perth Australia.
Claiming a second sporting victory for South African athletes in Wester Australian city that day, du Plessis was joined by his heroes the Springboks at the fight.
Accompanying DDP to the cage were two icons of South African Rugby in captain Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth.
Towering alongside the powerhouse fighter, Kolisi and Etzebeth were cage side for the full fight and joined DDP in the cage as he was getting his hand raised once again.
Whilst athletes accompanying fighters to the cage is not a new phenomenon it was incredible to see the pride that Kolisi and Etzebeth took in their countryman’s success and was a reminder of how connected the Springboks are to every area of South African sport and society.
For the Boks they will now depart Australia ahead of back-to-back tests against a resurgent All Blacks side who overcame a shock round one defeat to Argentina by securing a 50th unbeaten match at Eden Park in round two.
2 world champs celebrating the win of another world champ 🏆🇿🇦pic.twitter.com/pc4nwsxFb3
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 18, 2024
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