Kamaru Usman Responds to Dricus Du Plessis’ ‘More African’ Comments

• Dricus du Plessis questioned whether any former African champions can be classed as being from Africa
• Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya were both born in Nigeria but moved overseas as youngsters
• The Nigerian Nightmare Usman recently responded to du Plessis' comments about being more African

Nigeria's Kamaru Usman is not happy with South African fighter, Dricus du Plessis' recent comments.

Du Plessis, an undefeated Middleweight in the UFC, recently talked about being from Africa and wanting to be an African champion.

As noted by MMA Mania, du Plessis suggested that previous champions, like Usman and Israel Adesanya, were not real African champions because they didn't live in the country.

"Myself and Cameron [Saaiman], we breathe African air. We wake up in Africa every day. We train in Africa, we’re African born, we’re African raised, we still reside in Africa, we train out of Africa - that’s an African champion, and that’s who I’ll be," he said.

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The statement hasn't sat well with The Nigerian Nightmare, who responded to the comments ahead of his title fight with Leon Edwards.

Speaking at the media day ahead of the fight, Usman touched on the du Plessis' comments and advised him to be more careful with what he said and how he said it, MMA Junkie reported.

"I understand what he’s trying to say, but I think the one thing he’s failing to realise. Just because I go to China, and my parents are in China and I’m raised in China, that doesn’t make me more Chinese than people from China," Usman said.

He added that just because du Plessis was raised in South Africa, it didn't make him any more African. Usman and Adesanya were both born in Nigeria but moved away as youngsters. Usman went to the United States while The Last Stylebender moved to New Zealand.

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Du Plessis eyes UFC gold

In related news, Dricus Du Plessis has set his eyes set on UFC gold, Sports Brief has reported.

The South African fighter is buzzing after his victory over Derek Brunson earlier this year.

Du Plessis is focused on either fighting for the title or becoming the number one contender.