UFC 305, held at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, featured a thrilling main card, culminating in Dricus Du Plessis defending his middleweight title against Israel Adesanya. The event delivered exciting fights, including knockouts, submissions, and close decisions, making it one of the most entertaining cards of the year.
Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya
In the main event, Dricus Du Plessis successfully defended his middleweight championship by submitting former champion Israel Adesanya in the fourth round. The fight was competitive through the first three rounds, with both fighters trading blows and having their moments. Adesanya seemed to be gaining momentum, but Du Plessis connected with a powerful left hand in the fourth round that hurt Adesanya. Du Plessis followed up with more strikes, took Adesanya to the ground, and secured a rear-naked choke at 3:38 of the round to retain his title. Du Plessis remains undefeated in the UFC with an 8-0 record and continues to dominate the 185-pound division.
Co-Main Event: Kai Kara-France vs. Steve Erceg
In the co-main event, flyweight contender Kai Kara-France delivered a stunning performance, defeating Steve Erceg by TKO in the first round. Kara-France, representing City Kickboxing, connected with a powerful left hand that knocked Erceg down. He quickly followed up with strikes on the ground, forcing the referee to stop the fight at 4:04 of Round 1. This victory marked Kara-France’s first win since March 2022 and thrust him back into the title conversation in the flyweight division.
Dan Hooker vs. Mateusz Gamrot
Dan Hooker secured a split decision victory over Mateusz Gamrot in a highly competitive lightweight bout. The fight was closely contested, with both fighters exchanging heavy blows and grappling exchanges. Gamrot had success early, but Hooker defended well and landed impactful strikes throughout the fight. In the end, Hooker earned the nod from two of the three judges, improving his standing in the lightweight division.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Tai Tuivasa
Heavyweight contender Jairzinho Rozenstruik defeated Tai Tuivasa by split decision in a tactical, kickboxing-heavy match. Rozenstruik’s superior technique and control allowed him to outstrike Tuivasa, who had a few moments but was unable to land significant shots. Rozenstruik’s patience and accuracy earned him the victory, marking his second consecutive win in 2024.
Carlos Prates vs. Li Jingliang
Carlos Prates continued his impressive rise in the UFC by knocking out veteran Li Jingliang in the second round. Prates showcased his Muay Thai skills, landing multiple strikes and finishing Jingliang with a powerful left hand at 4:02 of Round 2. This win marked Prates’ third UFC victory of 2024, all inside the distance, and further solidified his place as a rising star in the welterweight division.
Other Notable Fights
In another exciting fight, Valter Walker defeated Junior Tafa by technical submission via ankle lock at 4:56 of Round 1. Additionally, Ricardo Ramos earned a split decision victory over Josh Culibao, and Casey O’Neill dominated Luana Santos with a unanimous decision win.
Conclusion
UFC 305 delivered a memorable night of action, with Dricus Du Plessis successfully defending his title and other fighters like Kai Kara-France, Dan Hooker, and Carlos Prates making statements with their performances. The event featured a mix of knockouts, submissions, and closely contested decisions, leaving fans eagerly anticipating what’s next for these athletes.
At UFC 305, Dricus du Plessis solidified his status as the best middleweight in the world with a thrilling fourth-round submission victory over Israel Adesanya. In his first title defense, du Plessis demonstrated resilience and tenacity, overcoming adversity to maintain his undefeated UFC record.
The Fight Breakdown
The highly anticipated matchup started evenly, with both fighters having their moments in the first two rounds. Adesanya, known for his precise and technical striking, began to find his rhythm in the third round. His body shots were particularly effective, wearing down du Plessis and shifting the momentum in his favor. By the end of the third round, Adesanya appeared to be in control, and the live odds reflected this shift, with many expecting him to either win by decision or accumulate enough damage to secure a finish.
Du Plessis, however, is no stranger to tough situations, and despite looking fatigued and having his takedown attempts thwarted, he remained focused. Early in the fourth round, du Plessis found his opportunity when he connected with a punch that wobbled Adesanya, giving him the opening to take the fight to the ground. Once on the mat, du Plessis capitalized on a rare mistake by Adesanya and locked in a rear-naked choke. The submission came at 3:38 of Round 4, sealing a dramatic and unexpected victory for the South African.
Adesanya’s Response
For Adesanya, it was a bitter defeat, as he was on the verge of reclaiming the middleweight belt for the third time, a feat only achieved by Randy Couture. His striking was sharp, and he was clearly ahead in the fight, but one lapse on the ground led to his undoing. After the fight, Adesanya acknowledged the error, saying, “I just made a stupid, dumb mistake on the ground. Despite the loss, Adesanya dismissed any talk of retirement, declaring emphatically, “I’m not f***ing leaving,” signaling his intention to continue competing.
Du Plessis’ Journey to the Top
Du Plessis’ victory at UFC 305 added another high-profile name to his growing list of accomplishments. He has now defeated 3 of the beyond 4 UFC middleweight champions: Adesanya, Sean Strickland, and Robert Whittaker. This impressive run has firmly established him as a dominant force in the division. His ability to persevere through tough situations and capitalize on opportunities has made him a formidable opponent for anyone in the middleweight class.
What’s Next for Du Plessis?
As the reigning middleweight champion, du Plessis now has several options for his next fight. A rematch with one of the former champions he has already defeated—Adesanya, Strickland, or Whittaker—is a possibility. However, there is also the intriguing prospect of a showdown with Alex Pereira, the current light heavyweight champion and former middleweight titleholder. Pereira, who has previously expressed interest in returning to the middleweight division, could pose a unique challenge for du Plessis.
Dricus du Plessis’ victory at UFC 305 was a defining moment in his career, cementing his place at the top of the middleweight division. His ability to stay composed under pressure and capitalize on Adesanya’s mistake demonstrated his championship caliber. While Adesanya’s future remains uncertain, du Plessis is now on a path to further solidifying his legacy, with potential matchups against the division’s top fighters on the horizon. Whether it’s a rematch or a new challenge, du Plessis has proven he belongs among the UFC’s elite.
At UFC 305, held at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis defended his title against former champion Israel Adesanya in a highly anticipated main event. This marked Du Plessis’ first title defense, and the fight delivered plenty of excitement. Along with the main event, the card featured many thrilling bouts, with standout performances from fighters across divisions.
Main Event: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya
The main event saw Du Plessis retain his middleweight championship with a fourth-round submission victory over Adesanya. The fight was evenly matched throughout, with both fighters landing significant strikes and exchanges. Du Plessis sustained a small cut on his forehead in the first round but remained composed.
In the second round, Du Plessis took Adesanya to the ground multiple times, attempting to secure chokes. Adesanya, however, was able to escape and return to his feet, avoiding any serious danger. The momentum seemed to shift in Adesanya’s favor during the third round, where he landed several body shots and even an elbow strike that kept Du Plessis on the defensive.
As the fourth round started, Adesanya continued to land good strikes, but Du Plessis found an opportunity to turn the fight around. He connected with a powerful left hand to Adesanya’s head, followed by three strong rights. This sequence allowed Du Plessis to take Adesanya down, where he locked in a rear-naked choke. Adesanya was forced to tap at 3:38 of Round 4, giving Du Plessis a successful title defense.
Despite the bad blood between them before the fight, both fighters embraced afterward. Du Plessis praised Adesanya in his post-fight interview, while Adesanya acknowledged the uncertainty of his future but assured fans he wasn’t retiring.
Kai Kara-France vs. Steve Erceg
In another exciting matchup, Kai Kara-France faced Perth native Steve Erceg in a flyweight bout. The fight ended quickly, as Kara-France knocked out Erceg in the first round. After landing a powerful left hand that knocked Erceg down, Kara-France finished the fight with a right hand just over four minutes into the round.
This win marked a significant moment for Kara-France, who expressed his desire for a title shot in his post-fight interview. The emphatic knockout reaffirmed his position as a top contender in the flyweight division.
Mateusz Gamrot vs. Dan Hooker
One of the most entertaining fights of the night was between Mateusz Gamrot and Dan Hooker in a lightweight contest. The battle went the full three rounds, with Hooker emerging victorious via split decision. Gamrot dominated the early part of the first round, landing ground-and-pound strikes and opening cuts on Hooker’s face. However, Hooker turned the tide late in the round, landing punches that nearly ended the fight.
In the second round, Gamrot controlled much of the action on the ground, but the third round saw Hooker make a strong comeback, landing several significant strikes. The fight was close, but two of the three judges scored it in favor of Hooker.
Conclusion
UFC 305 delivered a series of exciting fights, highlighted by Dricus Du Plessis’ dramatic victory over Israel Adesanya to retain his middleweight title. With standout performances from fighters like Kai Kara-France and Dan Hooker, the card offered non-stop action and showcased the best of MMA competition. Fans are now eager to see what’s next for these fighters, particularly Du Plessis, who has firmly established himself as the top middleweight in the UFC.