UFC 305 Recap: Du Plessis Retains Middleweight Title in a Dramatic Perth Showdown
Perth, Australia, August 18, 2024—In the early hours of Sunday morning in Perth, Australia, the RAC Arena became the battleground for one of the most highly anticipated UFC events of the year. UFC 305 saw fighters from across the globe clash in an intense night of action, but it was the main event that had everyone on the edge of their seats. Middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis put his title on the line against former champion Israel Adesanya, in a fight that left the MMA world buzzing.
Du Plessis vs. Adesanya: A Clash of Titans
Dricus Du Plessis, the South African powerhouse, came into this fight with a chip on his shoulder and a title to defend. Across from him stood Israel Adesanya, the former middleweight champion, who had the support of the crowd and the hunger to reclaim his throne. The atmosphere was electric, with fans from both sides cheering on their favorite fighters.
From the start, it was clear that this fight would be a close one. The first round saw both fighters testing each other, trading jabs and kicks, and showing respect for each other’s skills. Du Plessis sustained a small cut on his forehead, but neither fighter seemed to gain a significant advantage.
Turning the Tide: Du Plessis’s Unrelenting Will
As the second round unfolded, the intensity ramped up. Du Plessis shot for a takedown, finally bringing the fight to the ground. The champion was in control, attempting chokes and positioning himself for submissions, but Adesanya, with his legendary takedown defense, managed to escape and get back to his feet. Despite this, Du Plessis managed to secure two more takedowns, hinting that he had a strategy to exploit Adesanya’s ground game.
In the third round, the momentum seemed to shift towards Adesanya. The Nigerian-born fighter unleashed a series of brutal shots to Du Plessis’s body, visibly slowing the champion down. Adesanya even landed a spectacular elbow that had the crowd roaring. However, Du Plessis weathered the storm, answering back with heavy punching combinations that reminded everyone why he was the man with the belt.
The Finish: A Sudden and Stunning Victory
The fourth round began much like the previous ones, with Adesanya pressing forward, landing punches, and looking for openings. But then, in a sudden turn of events, Du Plessis landed a powerful left hook, followed by a series of crushing right hands that sent Adesanya reeling. Smelling blood, Du Plessis took Adesanya to the ground, where he locked in a rear-naked choke. The arena fell silent as Adesanya struggled, but at 3:38 of the fourth round, he was forced to tap, marking the first submission loss of his career.
The crowd erupted as Du Plessis stood victorious, having successfully defended his middleweight title for the first time. The two fighters embraced after the bout, seemingly putting to rest the tension that had built up between them in the lead-up to the fight. In his post-fight interview, Du Plessis was gracious in victory, praising Adesanya for his resilience and skill.
What’s Next for the Middleweight Champion?
With this victory, Dricus Du Plessis solidified his status as the middleweight king, but the question on everyone’s mind is: who will challenge him next? Just moments after the fight, former middleweight champion and current light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira announced on Instagram that he plans to drop back down to 185 pounds for one more fight. A showdown between Du Plessis and Pereira could be on the horizon, promising yet another epic battle in the middleweight division.
Other Highlights from UFC 305
The night was full of memorable moments beyond the main event. In the flyweight division, Kai Kara-France delivered a stunning first-round knockout of Perth native Steve Erceg. Kara-France’s left hook sent Erceg to the canvas, and a follow-up right hand ended the fight in brutal fashion. In his post-fight interview, Kara-France called out the fans, asking who they thought he should fight next, with a clear eye on a title shot.
Dan Hooker faced Mateusz Gamrot in a lightweight battle that went the distance. Hooker, after a rocky start, turned the fight around with some punishing strikes and was awarded a unanimous decision by the judges. It was a gutsy performance that showed why Hooker remains a fan favorite.
Controversy also made its mark on the night when judge Howie Booth was pulled from the UFC 305 card after submitting a questionable scorecard in the Tai Tuivasa vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik fight. Booth’s 30-27 score for Tuivasa shocked many, as the other judges had Rozenstruik winning. Booth’s removal from the event sent a strong message about the importance of fair and accurate judging in the sport.
The night also saw Carlos Prates deliver a devastating knockout to Li Jingliang in the welterweight division. Li, who had never been knocked out before, was overwhelmed by Prates’ power, and a final left hook put him away at 4:02 of the second round.
The event closed with Tom Nolan securing a unanimous decision victory over Alex Reyes, keeping his undefeated UFC record intact, and Song Kenan showcasing his punching power in a dominant win over Ricky Glenn. Despite the brutal nature of these bouts, it was Jesus Aguilar’s first-round guillotine choke of Stewart Nicoll that drew early attention, despite Aguilar missing weight by 1.5 pounds.
