Dricus du Plessis, Israel Adesanya go nose-to-nose in heated first staredown ahead of UFC 305

Tensions were high during the first staredown between Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya since their championship bout announced.

Du Plessis will defend his newly won title against the former champion in the main event of UFC 305 on Aug. 17 at RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia. The heated rivals took part in the event’s on-sale press conference on Tuesday, and after taking questions from the media, du Plessis and Adesanya went face-to-face, and it was quite intense.

Check out the first face-off between the headliners below.

Du Plessis and Adesnaya faced off once before following the former’s stoppage win over Robert Whittaker at UFC 290 just under a year ago, planting seeds for a matchup later in the year. Du Plessis did not face Adesanya for the title at UFC 293 this past September, but Sean Strickland did and pulled off a massive upset to capture the title in a lopsided decision win.

Four months later, du Plessis became champion after earning a split decision over Strickland in the main event of UFC 297, picking up his ninth straight win in the process.

“The Last Stylebender” will make his return to the octagon for the first time since the loss to Strickland, capping off the longest layoff of his pro career.