South Africa mixed martial artist Dricus du Plessis has successfully defended his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight title after beating Nigeria fighter Israel Adesanya at the RAC Arena in Australia. Du Plessis solidified his 185-pound belt with a nasty rear-naked choke in the fourth round, forcing his opponent to submission in the main event of UFC 305.
At the blockbuster fight, both martial artists matched eachother to thrill the audience at a sold-out 15,000 RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia. However, Adesanya ‘The Last Stylebender’ seemed to be leading on points before the reigning champion produced a moment of magic to win by submission at 3:38 of round four.
Du Plessis was accompanied into the Octagon by South Africa rugby captain Siya Kolisi and second-rower Eben Etzebeth, with his country’s national anthem thundering around the venue. The fight began cautiously in a tense atmosphere, with the taller Adesanya, a former kickboxer, using his reach advantage to keep Du Plessis at bay. Adesanya focused on counter striking, delivering his signature kicks with precision, leaving the South African with a bloodied forehead.
Late in the first round, Du Plessis landed a powerful left-handed punch, gaining momentum. He continued his aggression into the next round, executing a significant takedown and taking control of Adesanya’s back. However, Du Plessis was unable to secure a submission, allowing Adesanya to grapple his way back into the fight. By the fourth round, Adesanya’s strategy of wearing down Du Plessis began to show results as he started landing cleaner punches. But Du Plessis, finding a surge of energy, delivered a rattling blow that wobbled The Last Stylebender, leading to a victory for the South African.
It is now 10 wins in a row for Du Plessis (22-2), having originally claimed the middleweight belt after defeating Sean Strickland in January. Du Plessis embraced Adesanya after the bout saying the bad blood between them was finally put to bed.
He said “for me to share this octagon with a legend, 100 percent a Hall of Famer. This man has done so much for this sport. I’m really sorry that it came across that I disrespected the fact that he’s from Africa, that was never my intention. Tonight Africa would have won regardless. But tonight South Africa was the victor. It was an honour for me to share this cage with a legend like that. I have the utmost respect for him, warrior to warrior.”
“I’m disappointed, but at the same time I’m proud because this is the best I’ve felt and looked,” said the Nigeria-born, who made his return after a shock defeat to Strickland in September last year. I just had the better man on the night and I’ll give him respect for that.”
