Du Plessis vs Adesanya Confirmed: Middleweight Championship and African Pride Rest on UFC 305

• Dricus du Plessis will attempt to defend his Middleweight championship against former champion, Israel Adesanya
• South Africa's du Plessis and Nigerian-born Adesanya are bitter rivals and have yet to face each other in the Octagon
• The Last Stylebender was upset with Stillknocks' comments about wanting to become the first real African champion

Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya will finally face off later this year and the stakes couldn't be higher.

The Middleweight champion from South Africa will look to defend his title against a fellow African fighter, Nigerian-born Adesanya.

The duo will fight at UFC 305 on August 18 in a match that has been a long time in the making.

Despite never having fought each other in their professional careers, the pair are bitter rivals and will aim to end their rivalry with a win.

That fight will take place in Perth, Australia, MMA Mania noted.

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Explaining the Adesanya and Du Plessis rivalry

The Last Stylebender was at the top of the division when he and Du Plessis looked destined to fight. The South African angered Adesanya when he said he wanted to be the first real African champion, one who lives, trains and fights out of the continent.

Izzy, who was born in Nigeria before moving to New Zealand, took offence and promised to drag Du Plessis' carcass across the country, MMA Fighting reported.

Why haven't the pair fought?

While they have built up a bitter rivalry, the duo are yet to face each other in the UFC.

Adesanya was due to defend his then-title against Stillknocks, but the South African was not medically cleared. Sean Strickland stepped in on short notice and shocked the world by beating Izzy.

The Kiwi then took a break from the sport, while Du Plessis went on to become the new number-one contender and eventually beat Strickland for the belt.

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When they were finally due to meet at UFC 300, Stillknocks was again not fully healed enough to compete.

At UFC 305, however, the African fighters will finally settle their differences.

Adesanya falls out of UFC rankings

Sports Brief also previously reported how Adesanya fell out of the UFC rankings for the top 10 fighters pound-for-pound.

The Nigerian-born Kiwi lost two of his last three fights before taking a break from the sport, while Du Plessis climbed to ninth.