UFC 305: Dricus du Plessis Defies the Odds Once Again, Submits Israel Adesanya to Retain Middleweight Title

In a sport defined by dominance and precision, UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis is something of a paradox. He doesn’t fit the typical image of an invincible champion, often appearing vulnerable and on the brink of defeat in his fights.

Yet, despite the doubts and criticisms, he continues to find a way to win. At UFC 305 in Perth, Australia, du Plessis shocked the world once again, submitting Israel Adesanya in the fourth round to retain his middleweight title.

The bout, which headlined Saturday night’s UFC 305 card, was the culmination of months of heated trash talk between the two fighters. Du Plessis, who won the middleweight title in January with a decision victory over Sean Strickland, faced one of his fiercest rivals in Adesanya, the Nigerian-born New Zealander and former champion. The animosity between the two was palpable, with their pre-fight press conference boiling over into tears and accusations, particularly over controversial comments made by du Plessis questioning Adesanya’s African roots.

When the fight finally began, it delivered on all fronts. The opening round was highly competitive, with both men exchanging hard strikes. Adesanya, known for his world-class striking, appeared to be gaining the upper hand in the third round, punishing du Plessis with precise shots to the head and body. As the fourth round began, it seemed as though Adesanya was on the verge of reclaiming his belt.

But du Plessis had other plans. Despite appearing fatigued and hurt, the South African champion dug deep, executing a perfectly timed takedown and quickly transitioning to Adesanya’s back. From there, he locked in a rear-naked choke, forcing Adesanya to tap out and solidifying one of the most surprising victories of his career.

“I came here to die with this belt,” du Plessis declared to commentator Daniel Cormier after the fight. “Here I am. And still, baby.”

The victory marked du Plessis’ successful defense of his middleweight title and cemented his place among the elite of the UFC middleweight division. In just eight fights and under four years in the UFC, du Plessis has beaten nearly every champion in the division over the past seven years, with the lone exception being Alex Pereira, who briefly held the title before moving up to light heavyweight.

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What makes du Plessis so fascinating as a champion is not just his success, but the way he achieves it. He often appears battered, tired, and on the brink of defeat, only to somehow find a way to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. His wins may not always make sense, but they continue to pile up, leaving fans and analysts alike scratching their heads at how he continues to defy the odds.

As for what comes next, the middleweight division is teeming with potential challengers. Former champion Sean Strickland, who lost the belt to du Plessis earlier this year, has already called for a rematch. Meanwhile, UFC CEO Dana White has hinted that the winner of an upcoming fight between Robert Whittaker and unbeaten contender Khamzat Chimaev could also be in line for a title shot. And then there’s Alex Pereira, who has teased a potential return to middleweight, making it clear that du Plessis will have no shortage of challengers eager to test his resolve.

But for now, du Plessis is enjoying the satisfaction of having defeated one of the greatest middleweights of all time in Adesanya. In a display of sportsmanship after the fight, the champion apologized for his pre-fight comments and embraced Adesanya in a gesture of respect.

“Tonight, Africa would have won regardless,” du Plessis said, adding that this victory was a proud moment for South Africa.

While some had speculated that Adesanya might retire after this devastating loss, the 35-year-old legend made it clear that he’s not going anywhere, telling the crowd, “I’m not f—king leaving,” a nod to his determination to continue his career, even after one of the toughest losses of his storied career.

UFC 305 also featured standout performances from other fighters on the card. Kai Kara-France bounced back from two straight losses with a first-round knockout of Steve Erceg, while Dan Hooker turned back the clock with a gritty performance against Mateusz Gamrot. On the other hand, Tai Tuivasa’s future in the UFC appears uncertain after suffering his fifth consecutive defeat, this time to Jairzinho Rozenstruik.

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Perhaps the biggest rising star to watch after UFC 305 is Carlos Prates, who dominated Li Jingliang in the main card opener. Prates’ left hand is quickly becoming one of the most feared weapons in the welterweight division, and his swift victory sent a strong message to the rest of the weight class.

As the UFC middleweight division moves forward, one thing is certain: Dricus du Plessis is still the man to beat. His path to victory may be unconventional, and his style may be difficult to understand, but until someone figures out how to stop him, he’ll continue to reign as champion.

For now, du Plessis can enjoy his hard-fought victory, knowing that he silenced his doubters once again. Whether his reign will last or not, only time will tell—but one thing is clear: Dricus du Plessis has earned his place at the top of the UFC middleweight mountain.