In a thrilling display of resilience and skill, South African Dricus du Plessis successfully defended his middleweight championship at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia, by submitting Israel Adesanya. Du Plessis, boasting a record of 22-2, weathered a series of punishing body strikes across four intense rounds before capitalizing on a pivotal moment to secure his victory.
During the initial rounds, du Plessis managed to score early takedowns, but soon found himself enduring a relentless barrage of strikes from Adesanya. The seasoned Nigerian-born New Zealander’s onslaught appeared to wear down the 30-year-old du Plessis. Yet, in the fourth round, du Plessis seized the advantage with a precise left hook followed by three powerful rights, bringing Adesanya to the canvas. Sensing the opening he needed, du Plessis swiftly applied a choke hold, forcing Adesanya to tap out at 3:38 into the round.
“This man is the king of getting back up,” du Plessis remarked about Adesanya, who was vying for his third middleweight title. “I’m still alive, that’s a bonus. I came here to die for this belt and to take a life. I’m still champion, baby.”
The lead-up to the bout at the sold-out RAC Arena was marked by heightened tensions. Du Plessis had provoked controversy by questioning if Adesanya, should he win and take the belt back to Africa, would also bring his servants. Despite the pre-fight animosity, which was evident when both fighters refrained from touching gloves at the start, the two athletes appeared to reconcile post-fight.
“I’m really sorry that it came across that I disrespected the fact that he’s from Africa,” du Plessis clarified. “That was never my intention. Africa would have won regardless, but tonight South Africa was the victor.”
This victory marks the third successful title defense for du Plessis in the highly competitive middleweight division, and his second defense this year following a split decision win over Sean Strickland at UFC 297 in January. Du Plessis is now set for a return title-defense bout against Strickland, with the date yet to be determined.
Adesanya, 35, who holds a 24-4 record, was making his comeback after an 11-month hiatus following his unanimous decision loss of the middleweight title to Strickland in Sydney last September. Despite Sunday’s defeat, Adesanya maintained a positive outlook on his career.
“This is the best I’ve ever felt. I’m 35, I’m doing the right things. I’m not … leaving,” he asserted.
Earlier in the evening, local favorite Steve Erceg faced a tough challenge in his flyweight bout against New Zealand’s Kai Kara-France. Erceg suffered a first-round technical knockout, marking his second consecutive defeat following a unanimous decision loss to champion Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 301 in Brazil this past May.
