Dricus du Plessis solidified his position as UFC Middleweight Champion with a thrilling fourth-round submission victory over Israel Adesanya at UFC 305, held at the Perth Arena.
The bout, which drew a sold-out crowd of 15,000, saw du Plessis (22-2) extend his winning streak to 10 fights. Adesanya (24-4), a former two-time champion, was left grappling with a rear-naked choke after du Plessis capitalized on a momentary lapse in his defense.
Despite a strong start from Adesanya, who dominated much of the fight with his superior reach and striking, du Plessis managed to turn the tide in the fourth round. A powerful left hook followed by a series of punches rocked Adesanya, allowing du Plessis to secure the submission and defend his title.
"I came in here to die for this belt," du Plessis declared post-fight. "I came here to take it home. Here I am, still the champion."
Adesanya, reflecting on his first career submission loss, expressed both disappointment and respect for his opponent. "I always knew he was going to be tough, so that’s no surprise," Adesanya said. "This is the best I’ve ever felt and looked but I just fought the best man on the night."
The fight was marked by intense pre-fight animosity, with both fighters engaging in a heated exchange during their press conference. Adesanya's emotional response to a personal question about his family further fueled the tension. The rivals' history, including du Plessis's claims to be the 'true African' champion, added to the stakes.
Du Plessis's victory not only defends his title but also continues his impressive run in the UFC. His win over Adesanya adds to recent triumphs over Sean Strickland and Robert Whittaker. The future now looks ripe for another high-profile matchup or a potential rematch with one of the previous champions.
The fight night ended with du Plessis reaffirming his status as a dominant force in the middleweight division, while Adesanya vowed to continue fighting despite the setback.
In undercard action, New Zealander Kai Kara-France delivered a stunning first-round knockout against Australian Steve Erceg in the flyweight division. Meanwhile, Suriname's Jairzinho Rozenstruik edged out Australian Tai Tuivasa by split decision in the heavyweight bout.
