UFC 305 LIVE: Adesanya vs Du Plessis fight updates and results as champion submits ‘Stylebender’
Re-live the action after Israel Adesanya came up short in his bid to dethrone Dricus Du Plessis
Dricus Du Plessis submitted Israel Adesanya in the main event of UFC 305 on Saturday, settling their feud and retaining the middleweight title in Perth.
Du Plessis was making his first defence of the belt, which he took from Sean Strickland in January, while Adesanya was bidding to become a three-time champion. The build-up saw South Africa’s Du Plessis and Nigerian-born Adesanya, who fights out of New Zealand, clash over their backgrounds, after Du Plessis claimed he was the first “real” African UFC champion: the first not only to have been born on the continent, but also to have lived and trained there throughout his career.
But by the end of the main event in Australia, the pair shared respect and kind words, after Du Plessis won a gruelling contest via rear naked choke.
The 30-year-old arguably won the first two rounds, landing the harder punches and out-grappling Adesanya at times, but the challenger’s brutal body shots looked like they were adding up across the third and fourth rounds. Adesanya’s combination punching was also catching the eye, and he was able to stand numerous times after takedowns from Du Plessis, who was frequently switching stances like his opponent.
But in round four, Du Plessis landed a series of right hands on a retreating Adesanya, before dragging the former champion to the canvas. Du Plessis rapidly secured a rear naked choke, forcing his rival to tap.
Re-live UFC 305 below:
UFC 305 LIVE: Du Plessis's last five fights
Win vs Sean Strickland (split decision), January 2024
Win vs Robert Whittaker (second-round TKO), July 2023
Win vs Derek Brunson (second-round TKO), March 2023
Win vs Darren Till (third-round submission), December 2022
Win vs Brad Tavares (unanimous decision), July 2022
UFC 305 LIVE: Adesanya’s last five fights
Loss vs Sean Strickland (unanimous decision), September 2023
Win vs Alex Pereira (second-round KO), April 2023 [rematch]
Loss vs Alex Pereira (fifth-round TKO), November 2022
Win vs Jared Cannonier (unanimous decision), July 2022
Win vs Robert Whittaker (unanimous decision), February 2022 [rematch]
UFC 305 LIVE: Adesanya breaks down in tears at pre-fight press conference
Israel Adesanya tearfully took umbrage with a claim by his opponent Dricus Du Plessis on Friday, ahead of the pair’s UFC 305 main event.
Tonight, former two-time champion Adesanya will challenge Du Plessis for the middleweight title in Perth, Australia, as they look to settle a year-long grudge.
That grudge began when Du Plessis vowed to become the first “real African” UFC champion. The South African clarified that he meant the first not only to have been born in Africa but also to have trained there throughout his career.
Adesanya, born in Nigeria and representing New Zealand, took issue with that claim last summer in a heated face-to-face. And on Friday, the matter arose again at the UFC 305 pre-fight press conference.
“He touched a subject there, because I do this for my family,” Adesanya said tearfully. “I do this for the people I love, and I’ll fight for you forever – I swear to God,” he added, pointing at the front row.
More here:
Israel Adesanya breaks down in tears at UFC 305 press conference
The former middleweight champion, who challenges rival Du Plessis on Saturday, quickly exited the stage
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