Dricus du Plessis reacts to successful first UFC title defense

In responding to those who doubted he would defeat Adesanya, a previous title holder himself, the South African insisted he was never in doubt.

READ: I know what to expect, says Lebogang Mabatle after signing in Morocco 

Du Plessis added that everything that happened in Australia was down to planning.

''It feels absolutely incredible standing here. I mean what a build up to the fight this week, big ups to him as well and the UFC team here in Australia. They accommodated us, I was treated like not a world champion, I was treated like a king of some country, everything we wanted from the hotels, everything was planned to a tee, it was amazing, it was so special. 

People would say you're not a champion until you defend that belt. I went out there and fought against someone who wanted this belt, not someone who defended it,'' said Du Plessis.

The 30-year-old also gave credit to his challenger in Adesanya, who almost pushed him all the way to the full five rounds until Du Plessis forced him into a submission.

''I won at the end, I didn't do too many visualisations sessions where I lost, but the man was as good as I thought, I am so happy that he went out there after the fight, saying -  this was the best  Israel Adesanya, he felt great, you could see it just in the physic that is equal to work. He had more heart, I would say I took him out in the third, I could see that in the third he was starting to break down but it was just not enough. My coach and I looked at what he does, he kept on talking about he is a new fighter, he will come in different. Wanting to fight me from going forward,'' Du Plessis.

Du Plessis elaborated further on his game plan, which was to wear Adesanya out.

''Every round, you saw this. In the beginning of that round I was standing my ground but he was almost dictating but if you are not used to fighting like that you get more tired. Every round my coach would say listen, it is time to go and I would start pushing forward, and his round where he was dictating he was getting shorter and shorter,'' he concluded.

With the build-up to the fight bringing Adesanya to tears following what appeared to be an attack on his family by Du Plessis, the SA fighter cleared the air.