Dricus du Plessis responds to Israel Adesanya backtracking

Dricus du Plessis has responded to Israel Adesanya suggesting that he isn’t owed a title shot after he turned down a short-notice Sydney bout.

Du Plessis went to war with one of the middleweight division’s best strikers in Robert Whittaker upsetting expectations.

DDP hits back at Israel Adesanya

ALSO READ: Dricus du Plessis earns R1 million bonus for flattening Robert Whittaker

Adesanya was eager to dash into the Octagon to interrupt Du Plessis’ celebration with a foul-mouthed rant, but now doesn’t appear eager to face the South African.

He has suggested that Kamzat Chimaev could leapfrog Du Plessis.

ALSO READ: Dricus du Plessis pledges to KO Israel Adesanya

“Definitely (Chimaev could be next),” Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. “Again, I do want to fight Dricus. But he has to know he’s not calling the shots here. That’s the thing, I am. So again, a guy who, ‘Oh, my foot is this. My foot’s that…’ But yeah, we’ll see. We’ll see.

“You only have so much time in this game,” Adesanya said. “It’s about time. And I know I’m definitely past the halfway point of my career. I’ve still got some time left but I know, I’m past the halfway point. This is precious time.

ALSO READ: Dricus du Plessis credits coach with decision to fight southpaw

“I can’t just, me personally, give these opportunities away because when it’s all said and done, when you’re on your rocking chair in front of your property or trailer park or whatever, be looking back and be like did I take advantage of every opportunity that was given to me?”

How did Dricus du Plessis respond?

ALSO WATCH: Dricus du Plessis says Israel Adesanya ‘handled himself like a clown’

Du Plessis used his social media channels to respond to the suggestion by Adesanya.

Stillknocks has short riposte for Adesanya, saying: “I wouldn’t want to fight me either.”