In a highly anticipated main event at UFC 305, South African fighter Dricus Du Plessis successfully defended his middleweight title, defeating Nigerian-born Israel Adesanya with a fourth-round submission. The bout, which had been intensifying due to pre-fight tensions related to race and identity, ended dramatically when Du Plessis secured a victory via rear-naked choke.
Adesanya, a former two-time champion, entered the octagon determined to regain the title he lost to Sean Strickland last September. However, despite trailing 2-1 on the judges’ scorecards heading into the fourth round, Du Plessis shifted momentum in his favor with a series of powerful hooks and jabs, leading to a decisive takedown. Once Du Plessis locked in the choke, Adesanya had no option but to tap out.
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The fight started with both fighters displaying aggression. Adesanya landed sharp counters early, managing to cut Du Plessis on the forehead in the first round. However, as the match progressed, the South African’s relentless pressure and superior wrestling began to take their toll on Adesanya.
The intense atmosphere of the bout was heightened by Du Plessis’ controversial claim of being the first “real” African UFC champion—a statement that clearly riled Adesanya. After being cut in the first round, Du Plessis turned the tide in the second with effective wrestling, taking Adesanya down twice. The third round featured fierce exchanges on the feet as both fighters vied for control, setting the stage for the dramatic conclusion.
Adesanya, despite his reputation as a former two-time champion, could not overcome Du Plessis’ ground game in this matchup. The submission victory in his first title defense solidifies Du Plessis’ standing at the pinnacle of the middleweight division, leaving Adesanya to contemplate his next steps after a bitter defeat. The palpable tension between the fighters throughout the contest only added to the night’s drama.
