DuPlessis looking to become first African UFC champ

[HHJ]

In some ways, but it appears he was asked a question about an event in Africa.

Usman, Izzy, Franny would appear to claim(rep) Africa as a heritage/black african thing because they were born there and the same skin tone (though I think Usman and his family are probably the most traditional from what I've seen on embeddeds)

DDP is saying it as nationality thing because he lives there all his life and has pride for his country. He also didn't just mention himself but included Cameron Saaimen as well.

Neither are wrong.

Oh I meant more about Pena. I think Dricus is being smart here,and it is not just self serving. He just doesnt want actual African MMA to be overlooked.

 

[spinup]

Poatan.....

By the logic of this fantastic thread, it would only count if he lived and trained in the amazonian forrest.

And also, Khabib and Islam are californians and there has never been a Dagestani champ.

 

[Hellowhosthat]

Oh I meant more about Pena. I think Dricus is being smart here,and it is not just self serving. He just doesnt want actual African MMA to be overlooked.

Yep, Dricus has 13 fights in African promotions. Frank, Usman and Izzy have zero between them.

Tbh he probably should have thrown Themba Gorimbo in there so people couldn't accuse him of being racist.

 

[Hellowhosthat]

By the logic of this fantastic thread, it would only count if he lived and trained in the amazonian forrest.

And also, Khabib and Islam are californians and there has never been a Dagestani champ.

Not really, Islam and Khabib trained the majority of their lives in Dagestan and started out in Russian promotions before moving on. It's not the same.

 

[spinup]

I think all Dricus means is that N'Gannou isn't a product of African MMA, he's obviously an African dude.

Africa is not a country, so why would Ngannou go training in South Africa hold any value?
It would be like Marvin Vettori training in France or Spain to "remain European".

DuPlessis has mma infrastructure in his country...so what? He has merit for that?

At least Ngannou is developping MMA in Cameroon, so that kids can have what he didn't have.
https://www.vice.com/en/article/pkp359/francis-ngannou-foundation-photos

 

[Hellowhosthat]

Africa is not a country, so why would Ngannou go training in South Africa hold any value?
It would be like Marvin Vettori training in France or Spain to "remain European".

DuPlessis has mma infrastructure in his country...so what? He has merit for that?

At least Ngannou is developping MMA in Cameroon, so that kids can have what he didn't have.
https://www.vice.com/en/article/pkp359/francis-ngannou-foundation-photos

All I'm saying is he's not a product of African MMA whereas Dricus is. Khabib and Islam are products of Russian MMA.

Frank is a product of French MMA who then moved to America to continue his development. It's not an insult. He's still African.

 

[spinup]

Not really, Islam and Khabib trained the majority of their lives in Dagestan and started out in Russian promotions before moving on. It's not the same.

No no they are californians. Once you step in an american gym, you are american, no going back.

 

[HHJ]

Yep, Dricus has 13 fights in African promotions. Frank, Usman and Izzy have zero between them.

Tbh he probably should have thrown Themba Gorimbo in there so people couldn't accuse him of being racist.

They have zero cause to accuse him of that. I hope they do and expose themselves as idiots.

 

[Misanthropist]

Africa isn’t a country, just say “first South African champ” ever instead.

 

[Hellowhosthat]

No no they are californians. Once you step in an american gym, you are american, no going back.

You're being silly dude. It's about where you started your training and learned martial arts.

 

[HHJ]

Africa isn’t a country, just say “first South African champ” ever instead.

The truth really doesnt matter in this situation. Its subjective,but it still is an interesting development,one worth highlighting,and it will also make people remember him,and perhaps look into who and what he is talking about. I think its a good thing and anyone getting angry or taking this so seriously,should take a long hard look at themselves.

 

[DreyDay]

 

[Banana Tree's Nemesis]

So we’re ignoring the Gracies, Frank Shamrock, Cain, CCC, etc?

Idk. Are we? I wasn't trying to make a list here. I was just mentioning a single counterexample since that's all it takes to disprove that statement.

By the logic of this fantastic thread, it would only count if he lived and trained in the amazonian forrest.

I'm not sure how he lives. I know his training camps are in Connecticut, but doesn't he reside in Brazil?
That should be enough.
Either way. Even if he had dual citizenship, it would be with the US, so he would be an 'American' either way.

All the 'African' UFC champs have relocated and applied for citizenship on a different continent. Even Francis. And you can only get citizenship in a country if you reside there.
Technically the argument is sound.

 

[World eater]

I am not convinced. Not on the African part, but on the champion part.

 

[CPH]

 

[HHJ]

I am not convinced. Not on the African part, but on the champion part.

It dont even matter if he ever becomes champ. He's raisin that awareness that african MMA is not to be ignored. He's 5 - 0 in the UFC its got to count for something

 

[Iroh]

Why tho, do you consider Jon Jones not American because he’s a black guy?

If we use this logic there has never been an American champ since no native guy ever won the title.

Not true, we had Nicco Montano. Technically not a man, but you wouldn't have guessed just going by the name.

And Frank Shamrock was half native Murican I think.

 

[HHJ]

He should change his nickname to "Africanus"

 

[Theynevergoeasy]

Lol knowing people in 2023 he’s gonna get flak for this but he’s right and it is funny.

 

[C0NCH3TO]

He’s a few years too late.