UFC 305: Dricus du Plessis defends middleweight title with wild submission from Israel Adesanya in the 4th round
He looked exhausted, he looked injured, but Dricus du Plessis just looks like a champion now.
The UFC middleweight champion cemented his belt with a fourth-round submission win over former champion Israel Adesanya on Saturday at UFC 305, turning a fight that wasn’t going in his favor to make his first title defense.
After a fairly even first two rounds, Adesanya came into his own in the third round with targeted body shots and was the clear favorite in the live odds. The taller du Plessis had fended off his takedowns and was clearly enjoying himself until a punch in the fourth round unbalanced Adesanya so much that the South African brought him back to the ground.
“I just made a stupid, dumb mistake on the ground,” Adesanya said after the fight.
Eventually, du Plessis got his arm in place and forced Adesanya to submit with a rear naked choke, continuing his undefeated run in the UFC despite the hostile crowd in Perth, Australia.
It was a brutal loss for Adesanya, who was looking to become the second fighter after Randy Couture to win the UFC belt three times. His striking power was at his classic form and he won so many fights that the most likely outcomes were a point victory or the body shots that led to a win.
Instead, he now has no chance of another title shot. After the fight, there was some speculation in the Octagon about a possible retirement, but Adesanya put an end to it with, “I’m not fucking leaving.”
As for Du Plessis, he has now beaten three of the last four middleweight champions in a row in Adesanya, Sean Strickland and Robert Whittaker. A rematch with one of them could be the next step, or he could face the fourth remaining champion.
Assuming current light heavyweight (and former middleweight) champion Alex Pereira is serious.
UFC 305: Complete results
Here’s how it all went live at UFC 305, via Yahoo Sports:
The live broadcast has ended110 updates
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Izzy isn’t going anywhere and the sport is better for it. Plus, seeing Izzy and DDP hug after going to war is exactly why I love the sport. Great scenes at the end of the night to round out this great card.
pic.twitter.com/iN0U07JpkK— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) 18 August 2024
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Not long ago, it seemed that Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker would become the two most famous middleweights of this era. Dricus du Plessis has now defeated both of them in incredible fashion. It cannot be overstated how impressive that is. #UFC305
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) 18 August 2024
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Adesanya: “I’m not fucking leaving!”
Despite taking off his gloves and calling it quits, Adesanya tells Daniel Cormier in his post-fight interview that he is not going anywhere.
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RESULT: Dricus du Plessis defeats Israel Adesanya by submission (rear naked) at 3:38 of R4
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Wow. Just as DDP starts to tire, he pulls Adesanya to the ground and jumps on his back to choke him. He didn’t hesitate and didn’t miss his chance when Adesanya’s defense dropped.
— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) 18 August 2024
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Dricus du Plessis still doesn’t make sense, but damn, the man does it. That was the craziest thing. #UFC305
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) 18 August 2024
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This was Israel Adesanya’s first submission loss in his 28-fight career. #UFC305
— James Lynch (@LynchOnSports) 18 August 2024
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Such a tough fight to score points. DDP looks laborious at times but still finds a way to land. Adesanya’s body shots are piling up though.
— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) 18 August 2024
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Izzy now a -225 favorite
Chances of winning for Israel Adesanya-Dricus Du Plessis at @BetMGM
Close
▪️ Adesanya -115
▪️ Du Plessis -105Round 1
▪️ Adesanya -185
▪️ Du Plessis +135Round 2
▪️ Adesanya -115
▪️ Du Plessis -115Round 3
▪️ Adesanya -225 🚀
▪️ Du Plessis +165— John Ewing (@johnewing) 18 August 2024
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Izzy’s feints really trigger big reactions.
Every time he gets hit from distance, Dricus will charge forward as expected and Izzy has no problem recognizing it. As I write this, I am countering that charge with the spinning elbow!
— Anton Tabuena (@antontabuena) 18 August 2024
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Round 3 ends
Adesanya’s body work starts to do some good, but DDP keeps coming and landing hard when he hits.
— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) 18 August 2024
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Really good moments from both guys in round 2. DDP doesn’t take many steps back, but I don’t know if he can keep up that pace wrestling with Izzy. The guy just doesn’t stay down long.
— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) 18 August 2024
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Round 2 ends
DDP manages to take the former champion to the ground several times. The champion tries with all his might to show off his wrestling skills and not be on his feet.
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Round 1 ends
The champion establishes his kicking game early, but Izzy remains more active and lands more hits. DDP’s rushing attack made Izzy feel his power.
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