Despite looking to be in peril throughout the fight, South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis performed admirably this morning to retain the UFC middleweight title.
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The UFC middleweight champion defended his championship with a fourth-round submission victory over former champ Israel Adesanya at UFC 305, turning around a contest that was clearly going against him.
WHAT A PERFORMANCE BY THE CHAMPION! 😤@DricusDuPlessis defends his middleweight title by forcing Israel Adesanya to tap! #UFC305 pic.twitter.com/SYa24zbUKa
— UFC (@ufc) August 18, 2024
After a reasonably even first two rounds, Adesanya surged ahead with precise body shots in the third and was the clear favourite on the live odds. The bulkier du Plessis was racking up takedowns and evidently enjoying himself until a blow in the fourth wobbled Adesanya.
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‘I just made a stupid, dumb mistake on the ground,’ Adesanya said after the fight.
Finally, du Plessis got his arm in the proper place and submitted Adesanya with a rear naked choke, extending his UFC undefeated streak despite a hostile crowd in Perth, Australia.
It’s respect at the end of the day! 👏 #UFC305 pic.twitter.com/nwQcto2Acd
— UFC (@ufc) August 18, 2024
It was a devastating way to lose for Adesanya, who was attempting to become only the second fighter after Randy Couture to hold three consecutive UFC belts. His striking was reminiscent of his legendary vintage, and he was winning enough exchanges that the most likely outcomes were a decision win or the body shots adding up to a finish.
His first title defense! 🏆 #UFC305@DricusDuPlessis brings the belt back to South Africa! 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/6GeG5W6E7l
— UFC (@ufc) August 18, 2024
Instead, he is now left with few opportunities to win another title. After the fight, there was some acceptance of retirement chatter in the Octagon, but Adesanya shot that down with ‘I am not f***ing leaving.’
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Du Plessis has now defeated three of the past four middleweight champions in a row: Adesanya, Sean Strickland, and Robert Whittaker. A rematch with one of them could be next, or he could face the fourth remaining champion.
Assuming the current light heavyweight (and former middleweight) champion, Alex Pereira, is serious.
Also read:
Dana White vows UFC in South Africa if Du Plessis defeats Adesanya
Picture: @UFC/X