Israel Adesanya on Dricus du Plessis: I will gladly drag his carcass across South Africa

Adesanya reclaimed the middleweight strap with a brutal KO win over rival Alex Pereira in Miami on Saturday. In his post-fight interview, the Nigerian-born fighter didn't call anyone out specifically by name, but made a thinly veiled threat to du Plessis.

"I don't want to give this n***** no clout," said the champion.

"I will whoop that ... ugh, I wanna whoop his ass so bad. I wanna whoop his ass so bad. I want to do it in South Africa or Nigeria. But he's gotta do work. He's gotta do something. Show me something so I can whoop that ass and I can show you history. I'll remind you.

"Because you gotta choose your words wisely when you speak on people that have come before you. People that paved the way for you. You've got to pick your words wisely. You want to try and be a big boy? I don't want to give him no clout, but if he does work — and I pray to God he keeps winning — I will gladly drag his carcass across South Africa."

Given du Plessis is the only top-ranked fighter in his division from South Africa, the reference is plain to see. Pretoria fighter recently ruffled some feathers when he claimed he would be the "first real African-born UFC champion", pointing out that other champions do not live and train on the continent.

Adesanya's words landed for du Plessis, who responded to the callout on Twitter.

"So you won't say my name, that's smart you better not," he wrote.

"I don't need your airtime at all, I have my whole continent of AFRICA behind me. Go enjoy your very spectacular victory at home in New Zealand. We are Africa we fear nothing."

Trading verbal jabs aside, the clash would make sense on paper. It's unlikely fans will get Adesanya v Pereira 3 due to the latter's rumoured move up to the light-heavyweight division. Meanwhile, du Plessis is on a seven fight win streak and is the only fighter in the top six Adesanya hasn't been in the cage with.

However, it might be wise for the Pretoria native to get is nose fixed before the biggest fight of his career. After his win over veteran Derrick Brunson, du Plessis admitted he has trouble breathing through his broken nose.

But du Plessis isn't the only South African getting called out.

Bantamweight Christian Rodriguez derailed the hype train of 18-year-old phenom Raul Rosas Jr. with a decision win on Saturday. Speaking to combat sports aficionado Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour, the American called out the undefeated Cameron Saaiman, who trains out of Team CIT with du Plessis.

"There's this kid, what's his name, Cameron Saaiman," said the 25-year-old.

"I think me and him would be an exciting fight. That kid brings it too."

South African MMA is in a healthy place if its fighters are making headlines without even being on the weekend's fight card. Watch this space...