Nigerian-born Australian and former UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya, has claimed that defeating the current champion, Dricus Du Plessis, is more important to him than reclaiming the UFC title.

Adesanya, who hasn't fought in nearly a year, is set to face South African fighter Du Plessis at UFC 305 on Sunday, August 18, 2024, with the match starting at 03:00.

Ahead of the fight, Adesanya explained that the fight is personal for him and is about more than just winning the title.

During the UFC 305 Countdown show, he said, "This fight is about history and proving a point. Beating Dricus is more important to me than getting the title back. It's not just about the belt."

The rivalry between Adesanya and Du Plessis has intensified over the past year, with both fighters trading strong words.

Their feud is based on the debate over who is the "true" African champion, making their upcoming clash even more intense.

After losing unexpectedly to Sean Strickland in his last fight, Adesanya took a break but is now focused on his next challenge, which he sees as more than just a title match.