SA’s Dricus du Plessis submits Israel Adesanya to retain middleweight title

South Africa’s superstar athlete Dricus du Plessis successfully defended his UFC Middleweight title on Sunday morning after beating former UFC champion and Nigerian-born New Zealander Israel Adesanya at UFC305 in Perth Australia.

Making an iconic walk out to the RAC Arena Octagon with South Africa’s two-time Rugby World Cup champions Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth, Du Plessis entered the toughest fight of his life as he went up against one of the greatest Middleweights of all time in Adesanya who was looking to become a three-time champion with a win over the South African.

It was not to be for Adesanya as Du Plessis submitted his opponent via rear-naked choke in the fourth round.

True to form, round one was measured as both apex predators were feeling each other out and testing the waters, switching stances mixing leg kicks and counters up. With his superior reach, Adesanya landed cleaner body kicks before one of those attacks opened up a takedown attempt for Du Plessis. Adesanya did well to neutralise the level change, though.

DRICUS DU PLESSIS RETAINS THE UFC MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE 🏆 #UFC305 pic.twitter.com/coKbAbo00y

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 18, 2024

During one of the exchanges, Adesanya landed a clean punch to Du Plessis, which cut open the champion before the latter got one back with a crisp right hand following it up with a heavy front kick to the body.

The second round was all Du Plessis.

As the pace picked up, Adesanya led with a jab before Du Plessis slipped and level-changed with a big takedown. The Nigerian showed great wrestling defence with a quick wizar before Du Plessis transitioned to Adesanya’s back with a failed rear-naked choke attempt. Du Plessis continued to unsettle Adesanya's balance and get him off his striking game by implementing a wrestling game, shooting five times in total.

Round three belonged to Adesanya as he stuck to his guns and went back to his bread and butter, unleashing his elite striking game, Du Plessis did well to keep his hands up, staying in the pocket with that awkward style and timing, but Adesanya’s reads were impeccable, finding his rhythm, landing body, head and leg shots. Du Plessis managed to land a heavy classic right and overhand left, however, Adesanya shared the spoils of the round with way more significant strikes.

Heading into the championship rounds, Adesanya looked the fresher of the two athletes, however, it is well known that Du Plessis has deceived many opponents in the past. Adesanya started putting together some beautiful combos, looking light on his feet, but a big left hand from Du Plessis followed up with a double jab and right hook eventually became Adesanya’s kryptonite as he went down before Du Plessis took his back and locked in a tight rear-naked choke.

“Suid Afrika, dit lyk vir my hulle sal nooit leer nie, hulle weet nie wat ons weet nie,” said Du Plessis in celebration.

“I was fighting one of the greatest in the division, the king of getting back up and so I had to do my best to keep him there. I do not want to be kicked by that man again,” chuckled Du Plessis paying respects to Adesanya’s elite kickboxing.

“To share the Octagon with this legend and a certain hall of famer, was such an honour. I never meant to disrespect him as an African,” said Du Plessis after an ugly rivalry began when he stated that he would like to become the first African-born, bred, and trained champion which Adesanya felt was an insult to him and other former African UFC champions who were forced to leave the continent in search of a better life.

Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya share an incredible backstage moment after #UFC305 and embrace each other families. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Dsu7btTZyV

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) August 18, 2024

"I came in here ready to die, but I am grateful to be alive, luckily none of us had to go that route and I stand here a champion, baby,” said Du Plessis.

“To be honest, I knew he was always going to be a tough fight, but I felt strong in there, I just made a stupid mistake. I am disappointed in myself, but I am proud because this is the best I have ever felt. I was beaten by the better man. Well done to him,” said a true class act, Adesanya.