UFC 305’s Israel Adesanya calls out UFC for trying to ‘erase’ Francis Ngannou: ‘We need to fix this’

Israel Adesanya plans to become the second three-time Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) champion in the promotion’s history at UFC 305 this weekend (Sat., Aug. 17, 2024).

The most dominant Middleweight champion since Brazil’s Anderson Silva has been none other than “The Last Stylebender,” Adesanya. Throughout his 27-fight career (24-3), Adesanya accumulated five total title defenses across two reigns as champion and could add more depending on if he dethrones Dricus du Plessis in his upcoming bout.

At the height of Adesanya’s power, he wasn’t the only champion from his native continent of Africa. Alongside him stood Heavyweight and Welterweight titleholders Francis Ngannou and Kamaru Usman. While Usman lost his title via a fifth round knockout to Leon Edwards in August 2022 (watch highlights), Ngannou parted ways with the promotion amid a contract negotiation breakdown in January 2023. Therefore, he gave up his title and signed with Professional Fighters League (PFL), making him an essential afterthought when UFC brings up its heaviest weight class.

“Francis, Kamaru, 100 percent these are guys that we have paved the way for people like Dricus,” Adesanya told ESPN. “We have paved the way for a whole continent to be able to dream. To be able to know, ‘Man, I can get there.’ I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: Look, it doesn’t end with us. It doesn’t even end with Dricus. Wait for the next generation of African fighters.

“You can never erase Francis’ history from the UFC. I’ll say that,” he continued. “It’s part of history. We need to fix this. I don’t like that. I don’t like the fact that we’re trying just to cut out a really important part of history. It’s silly. But we’ll fix that. That’s for later on.”

If Adesanya defeats du Plessis at UFC 305, he’ll join only Randy Couture as the promotion’s lone three-time champions.

LIVE! Watch UFC 305 PPV On ESPN+ Here!

’BAD BLOOD BOILS OVER! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to RAC Arena in Perth, western Australia, on Sat., Aug. 17, 2024, with an absolutely incredible pay-per-view (PPV) main event between Middleweight champion, Dricus Du Plessis, taking on African rival — and former 185-pound roost-ruler — Israel Adesanya. In UFC 305’s co-headliner, top-ranked Flyweight contender, Kai Kara-France (No. 4), locks horns with former 125-pound title contender, Steve Erceg (No. 7), while Mateusz Gamrot meets Dan Hooker in a fun Lightweight scrap one fight prior. UFC 305’s PPV main card (see it here) will also feature Tai Tuivasa vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Jingliang Li vs. Carlos Prates and so much more. It’s must-watch action from “Down Under!” UFC 305 start time scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET (Prelims) and 10 p.m. ET (PPV).

Don’t miss a single second of EPIC face-punching action!

MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 305 fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches at 6:30 p.m. ET, followed by the remaining undercard balance on ESPN/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.

To check out the latest and greatest UFC 305: “Du Plessis vs. Adesanya” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. For the updated and finalized UFC 305 fight card and PPV lineup click here.