In a highly charged main event at UFC 305, South African fighter Dricus Du Plessis retained his middleweight title by submitting Nigerian-born Israel Adesanya in the fourth round.
The grudge match, intensified by pre-fight tensions over race and identity, took a dramatic turn when Du Plessis secured the victory with a rear-naked choke.
Adesanya, a former two-time champion, entered the fight determined to reclaim the belt he lost to Sean Strickland last September. Despite being down 2-1 on the scorecards going into the fourth round, Du Plessis shifted the momentum with a series of powerful hooks and jabs, followed by a decisive takedown. Once he locked in the choke, Adesanya had no choice but to submit.
The fight began with both fighters showing aggression, with Adesanya landing sharp counters and cutting Du Plessis on the forehead early in the bout. However, as the fight progressed, Du Plessis’ relentless pressure and superior wrestling skills became too much for Adesanya to handle.
The bout was marked by a tense atmosphere, fueled by Du Plessis’ controversial claim of being the first “real” African UFC champion, a statement that did not sit well with Adesanya.
Adesanya managed to cut Du Plessis early in the first round, but Du Plessis gained control in the second round with effective wrestling, taking Adesanya down twice. The third round saw intense exchanges as both fighters battled for dominance, setting the stage for the dramatic finish in the fourth round.
Du Plessis’ submission victory in his first title defense solidifies his position at the top of the middleweight division, leaving Adesanya to contemplate his next move after a bitter defeat.
The animosity between the two fighters was palpable throughout the contest, adding to the drama and intensity of the night.
