PERTH, Australia – In an electrifying night of fights at UFC 305, Dricus Du Plessis successfully defended his middleweight title, submitting former champion Israel Adesanya in the fourth round. The victory solidified Du Plessis as a rising star in the division and marked a significant moment in the ongoing rivalry between the two African-born fighters.
The 185-pound middleweight belt had changed hands four times in consecutive title fights leading up to UFC 305, but Du Plessis ended that streak with a dominant rear-naked choke victory over Adesanya. This win marked the first title defense of Du Plessis’ career after he won the championship earlier in January in a split decision against Sean Strickland.
Du Plessis, 30, showcased his strength and power throughout the fight, controlling the bout against Adesanya, a renowned kickboxer. After weathering a competitive first few rounds, Du Plessis capitalized on a left hand that rocked Adesanya in the fourth round, eventually finding his opening to lock in the fight-ending submission.
Adesanya, who had previously bested current light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, has now lost three of his last four bouts. This loss to Du Plessis was the first submission defeat in Adesanya’s storied mixed martial arts career.
Tensions between Adesanya and Du Plessis had been simmering for over a year, largely fueled by Du Plessis’ claim to be the UFC’s first “true African champion” due to his training and residence in South Africa. Adesanya, born in Nigeria but raised in New Zealand, took offense to the claim, leading to a heated rivalry that played out during pre-fight events.
The two first met face-to-face for a stare-down after Du Plessis’ TKO win over Robert Whittaker at UFC 290. At that time, Adesanya was the reigning champion, and Du Plessis had just secured his spot as the top contender. The buildup to UFC 305 saw emotional moments, including Adesanya becoming overwhelmed during the pre-fight press conference while discussing his family.
Despite the personal animosity, both athletes displayed respect after the fight, with Adesanya embracing Du Plessis in the Octagon. Adesanya reflected on his journey, noting that his UFC career began in the same RAC Arena where he now faced his latest defeat. Although disappointed, Adesanya made it clear that retirement was not an option, promising fans that he would return stronger.
In the aftermath of Du Plessis’ victory, former middleweight champion Alex Pereira hinted at a potential return to the 185-pound division. Pereira, who moved up to light heavyweight after his loss to Adesanya, became the light heavyweight champion earlier this year. On social media, Pereira suggested he might come back to middleweight “one more time,” adding fuel to speculation about a potential rematch with Du Plessis or Adesanya.
In the co-main event, Kai Kara-France delivered an emphatic first-round knockout against Steve Erceg in the flyweight division. Kara-France had been on a two-fight skid but put an end to that streak with a powerful left hand that floored Erceg. The victory, a much-needed rebound for Kara-France, puts him back in the conversation for a title shot against reigning flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja.
Other Notable Performances
Dan Hooker vs. Mateusz Gamrot: Hooker won a split decision in a hard-fought lightweight contest, delighting the Australian crowd. Hooker showed resilience against Gamrot’s relentless takedown attempts and landed some significant strikes, including a massive left hook that staggered his opponent. Hooker has now won three consecutive bouts and looks primed for more high-profile matchups in the division.
Tai Tuivasa vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik: In a controversial split decision, Rozenstruik emerged victorious after a slugfest with heavyweight knockout artist Tai Tuivasa. Despite the close fight, one judge scored all three rounds for Tuivasa. The unusual scoring led to the judge being pulled from officiating later bouts in the event. Tuivasa remains a fan favorite but has now lost five straight fights dating back to 2022.
Carlos Prates vs. Li Jingliang: Carlos Prates celebrated his 31st birthday in style with a spectacular second-round knockout of Li Jingliang in the opening bout of the main card. Prates, a rising welterweight star, improved to 3-0 in the UFC with his highlight-reel finish, continuing his impressive start to his career with the promotion.
Fight of the Night and Performance Bonuses
The bout between Dan Hooker and Mateusz Gamrot was awarded Fight of the Night, with both fighters earning bonuses for their performances. Meanwhile, Kai Kara-France and Carlos Prates earned Performance of the Night bonuses for their spectacular knockouts.
UFC 305 delivered a memorable night of action in Perth, with Dricus Du Plessis solidifying his place as the middleweight champion and Kai Kara-France reigniting his title hopes. With exciting developments in multiple divisions and potential rematches looming, the landscape of the UFC continues to evolve, setting the stage for future clashes among the sport’s elite fighters.
