Dricus du Plessis successfully defended his UFC middleweight championship with a thrilling fourth-round submission victory over Israel Adesanya in the main event of UFC 305, held at the RAC Arena in Perth. The bout, a historic clash between two African-born fighters, delivered on its promise, with du Plessis emerging as the victor in what will be remembered as a defining moment in his career.
The fight was highly competitive from the start, with both fighters displaying their unique skill sets. Du Plessis, known for his aggressive style, mixed in leg kicks with powerful blitzes, while Adesanya, the former champion, found opportunities to score with his precise strikes from range.
In the second round, du Plessis showcased his wrestling skills, landing an early takedown and repeatedly returning to his grappling advantage even after Adesanya managed to stand up. Du Plessis threatened with multiple submission attempts, making it a strong round for the South African champion.
Adesanya, known as “The Last Stylebender,” mounted a comeback in the third round, targeting du Plessis’s body with increased precision. Although du Plessis appeared fatigued and abandoned his wrestling, he still had moments of success with his striking.
As the fight entered the championship rounds, Adesanya seemed to regain momentum, but du Plessis returned to his grappling roots in the fourth round. A perfectly timed takedown off a right hand allowed du Plessis to transition smoothly into a rear-naked choke, forcing Adesanya to tap and securing the win.
The victory not only solidified du Plessis’s status as the reigning middleweight champion but also marked the end of a heated rivalry between the two fighters. Speaking about Adesanya after the fight, du Plessis was gracious in victory, stating, “His career can’t be argued. He’s one of the greatest fighters ever. Not in the middleweight division, not in the UFC, but in MMA, one of the best to ever do it. While he’s still in the organization, I’m holding the belt, which makes it pretty evident that there’s something special [about me] and there’s something different.”
Du Plessis’s win over a fighter of Adesanya’s caliber is a significant milestone, but questions remain about the longevity of his reign. At 35, Adesanya was coming off an uninspiring performance against Sean Strickland, raising doubts about whether this win signals a true passing of the torch or merely a timely victory.
Looking ahead, du Plessis’s next challenge seems likely to be a rematch with Strickland, who UFC President Dana White confirmed would get the next title shot regardless of the outcome at UFC 305. The two fought earlier this year, with du Plessis securing a narrow split-decision win. Now, with the belt on the line, du Plessis will need to prove he can emerge victorious in even more convincing fashion.
