Mixed martial arts fighter Dricus du Plessis' Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight title defence against Israel Adesanya in Perth yesterday morning could have massively positive implications for South Africa, with a potential home soil defence on the cards.
Just last week UFC president Dana White said he would bring the UFC to SA if Du Plessis beat Adesanya. "If he can beat Izzy and bring that belt back to South Africa, we'll do an event there," White said.
Du Plessis retained his title after beating Adesanya in the fourth round.
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie said South African UFC middleweight champion Du Plessis would get the biggest hero's welcome when he returns home. "Thank you, Du Plessis, my voice is gone. Thanks, UFC for keeping your word. We do this thing on home soil," he posted on X yesterday.
Denne historien er fra August 19, 2024-utgaven av The Citizen.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August 19, 2024-utgaven av The Citizen.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
CHIEFS' BIG TALENT
The new Amakhosi head coach is showing a willingness to start trusting in younger players.
Arsenal retain hunger
Mikel Arteta saluted Arsenal's hunger as the gritty Gunners ignored the absence of Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard to clinch an \"ugly\" 1-0 win at bitter rivals Tottenham yesterday.
Piastri claims a tense Baku win
Oscar Piastri claimed an impressive second victory of his burgeoning career yesterday when he drove his McLaren to a well-judged triumph ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc in a tense Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
No room for relaxing
Manqoba Mngqithi has issued a friendly warning to his dazzling array of Mamelodi Sundowns superstars that complacency will not be tolerated this season.
Austerity is wrong route
Belt-tightening means choosing not to invest in SA citizens.
Clear case for nuclear
Scientists, not lobbyists, must lead the conversation’.
This is how your interest rate is calculated
Economists expect that the South African Reserve Bank will cut the repo rate on Thursday, giving consumers a little more breathing room when it comes to their finances.
Saving for retirement at 50
South Africans become financially wiser as they get older, says expert.
Exploring the afterlife
The existential question that never bears an answer.
Scramble to help victims of floods
Hundreds killed in wake of Typhoon Yagi.