Dricus du Plessis Retains Middleweight Title at UFC 305 in Perth
- South African Dricus du Plessis retains his middleweight UFC championship by submitting Israel Adesanya.
- Du Plessis endured body hits through four rounds before securing victory.
- The intense battle culminated in an impressive win for Du Plessis.
PERTH, Australia (AP) — In a thrilling showdown at UFC 305, South African fighter Dricus du Plessis successfully defended his middleweight championship against Israel Adesanya, winning by submission in the fourth round. The match, held at the sold-out RAC Arena, showcased du Plessis's resilience as he absorbed numerous body strikes from Adesanya before seizing the opportunity to secure a decisive victory. Du Plessis, now boasting a record of 22 wins and 2 losses, began the fight with effective takedowns but faced a barrage of strikes from Adesanya, which seemed to wear him down. However, a pivotal right hook in the fourth round allowed du Plessis to take control, leading to a takedown and a choke hold that forced Adesanya to tap out. This victory marks du Plessis's third successful title defense in the competitive middleweight division and his second win of the year, following a split decision victory over Sean Strickland in January. Adesanya, a former champion with a record of 24 wins and 4 losses, was looking to reclaim the title after losing it to Strickland in September of the previous year. This fight marked his return to the octagon, aiming to become a three-time middleweight champion. In an earlier bout, local favorite Steve Erceg faced a setback, suffering a knockout in the first round against New Zealand's Kai Kara-France. This fight was Erceg's first since a unanimous decision loss to champion Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 301 in Brazil earlier this year.