Dana White was not having it.
The UFC president did not entertain a question about racism following a confrontation between middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and challenger Dricus Du Plessis on Saturday night, in which Adesanya used the n-word repeatedly.
Adesanya, a black fighter from Nigeria, taunted Du Plessis, a white South African challenger, after Du Plessis’ second-round TKO over Robert Whittaker at UFC 290 on Saturday.
“Let’s go n—a. What’s up, bitch? Let’s go, n—a,” a mocking Adesanya said. “Yeah, my African brother.”
“I’m African, but I’m no brother of yours, son,” Du Plessis retorted.
When a reporter asked White during a press conference about the racial undertones of the encounter and Adesanya’s choice to use the n-word, White seemed confused about the premise of the question.
Warning: Graphic Language
“[Adesanya’s] black… I could care less. This is the fight business. Israel Adesanya can say whatever he wants to say. Who gives a s–t? Why, are people bitching about that? Of course they are,” White said.
Adesanya, who won the middleweight title belt after defeating Alex Pereira in April, continued taunting Du Plessis on Twitter after their encounter.
“If you ain’t my brother, you ain’t African!!” Adesanya wrote. “I will show you where you’re from, n—a”
Du Plessis has not lost since 2018 and five of his six UFC wins have become via stoppage.
Du Plessis retaliated during his press conference, in which he expressed confidence that he could “manhandle” the reigning champion in their upcoming matchup.
“He’s behaving like a clown in there. that’s not how a champion behaves, that’s not how a man behaves,” Du Plessis said. “He’s behaving like a child. Conduct yourself like a champion.”
The title fight between Adesanya and Du Plessis is likely to headline UFC 293 in September, which will be held in Sydney, Australia.
