In a dramatic showdown at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia, Dricus du Plessis retained his middleweight title by submitting Israel Adesanya in the fourth round, adding a decisive chapter to their intense rivalry. The South African fighter secured the win with a rear-naked choke after stunning Adesanya with a powerful left hook and a series of rights.
The build-up to the fight was marked by fierce exchanges between the two fighters, particularly over du Plessis’ claim to be the “first real African champion.” This statement struck a nerve with Adesanya, who was born in Nigeria but represents New Zealand in the octagon.
Despite the tension, both fighters expressed respect for each other after the fight. Du Plessis praised Adesanya, calling him a “legend” and apologized for any misunderstanding regarding their African heritage. “It was an honor to share the octagon with him. Africa won tonight, regardless,” du Plessis remarked.
Adesanya, who was aiming to become the first three-time UFC middleweight champion, admitted he was bested on the night. “I just fought the better man tonight,” he said. “I’m disappointed, but I’m not leaving. I’ll be back.”
This submission loss was the first of Adesanya’s storied MMA career. The 35-year-old had returned to the octagon after an 11-month hiatus, having taken time off to recover from the mental and physical toll of his previous title defenses.
Throughout the fight, Adesanya initially appeared to have the upper hand, landing strong kicks and body shots. However, du Plessis’ resilience and tactical wrestling turned the tide, leading to the decisive submission.
The rivalry’s emotional climax came during their pre-fight press conference, where du Plessis’ comments about Adesanya’s upbringing led to a tearful response from the former champion, who dedicated his fight to his family.
Despite back-to-back losses, Adesanya remains a formidable presence in the sport, and fans eagerly anticipate his next move.
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