South African Dricus Du PLessis fought through adversity to tap Israel Adesanya and successfully defend the UFC middleweight title earlier today.
The bout headlined the UFC 305 which took place in Perth, Western Australia earlier today (Sunday).
Adesanya was solid on his feet early not showing any signs of a fighter who had been out of action for nearly a year, however the contest was back and forth as Du Plessis looked stronger in the second round, which Du Plessis utilised his wrestling to take the fight to the ground and take Adesanya’s back.
Adesanya’s striking sharpness returned in the third round which forced Du Plessis to go defensive. That didn’t last though as a strong left from Du Plessis found it’s target and the two started exchanging. In the fourth, a left hook rocked Adesanya and the South African pressed to take the back and the eventual tap.
The win came 3:38 into the fourth round in what was Du Plessis’ first title defense. He moves his professional record to 22-2 (UFC 8-0).
Adesanya took his gloves off in the Octagon however did confirm post-fight that he definitely has no intention of retiring and credited his opponent for being the better fight on the night.
Asked what’s next, Adesanya responded “I didn’t think that far. I didn’t manifest this,” with a laughter.
“You guys love me. This is where i started my career in the UFC. This is where I made my dream. Right here in Perth. Look, I’m 35 and I’m doing all the right things and I know all you m***********s want to see me lose, but watch this. I’m not f*****g leaving.”
“I’m not f*****g leaving,” he yelled down the camera.
Du Plessis was complimentary of his opponent as well and seems to have put to bed his rivalry with Adesanya.
“For me to share this octagon with a legend, not potentially – a 100 percent a Hall of Famer,” du Plessis said.
“This man has done so much for this sport. I’m really sorry that it came across that I disrespected the fact that he’s from Africa, that was never my intention. Tonight Africa would have won regardless but today South Africa was the victory and it was an honour to share the cage with him.”
In a battle to determine the best flyweight in the region, Kai Kara-France disposed of local favourite Steve Erceg. Kara-France connected with a big left that sat Erceg on the canvas and local fighter was unable to recover. Kara-France pounced, unloading with shots as Erceg tried to compose himself. After he went down again, the referee had no choice to intervene.
The finish came only 4:04 into the opening round.
Also on the card, Dan Hooker wlaked away the victor in a closely contested bout against Mateusz Gomrat. There was not much separating the two after three rounds with the two judges scoring it in favour of Hooker 29-28 and the other giving it to Gamrot 29-28.
Notably on MMADecisions.com at time of writing, nine media members scored it to Gamrot and eight the way of Hooker which shows how closely contested the bout was. Both would walk away with ‘Fight of the Night honours’.
The win puts Hooker well and truly back in the lightweight picture.
It was mixed event for the local Australian and New Zealand fighters with Junior Tafa, Joshua Culibao, Tai Tuivasa and Stewart Nicoll all going down however Casey O’Neill, Jack Jenkins and Tom Nolan notably picked up wins.
Full Results:
- Dricus Du Plessis def. Israel Adesanya via Submission (Face Crank), Rd 4, 3:38 – UFC middleweight title
- Kai Kara-France def. Steve Erceg via TKO (Punches), Rd 1, 4:04
- Dan Hooker def. Mateusz Gamrot via Decision (Split)
- Jairzinho Rozenstruik def. Tai Tuivasa via Decision (Split)
- Carlos Prates def. Jingliang Li via KO (Punch), Rd 2, 4:02
- Valter Walker def. Junior Tafa via Submission (Heel Hook), Rd 1, 4:52
- Ricardo Ramos def. Joshua Culibao via Decision (Split)
- Casey O’Neill def. Luana Santos via Decision (Unanimous)
- Jack Jenkins def. Herbert Burns via TKO (Retirement), Rd 3, 0:48
- Tom Nolan def. Alex Reyes via Decision (Unanimous)
- Kenan Song def. Ricky Glenn via Decision (Unanimous)
- Jesus Aguilar def. Stewart Nicoll via Technical Submission (Guillotine Choke), Rd 1, 2:39
