MMA
UFC 305: Dricus du Plessis forces Israel Adesanya to submit in retaining middleweight title
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Dricus du Plessis wasn't going to take any more chances on the feet against a brilliant striker like Israel Adesanya.
So moments after dropping Adesanya with a short right hand in the fourth round, du Plessis gave chase, added three more compact rights and then pounced to secure a takedown. He then quickly took Adesanya's back, cinched in a rear-naked choke and forced "The Last Stylebender" to tap out to retain his middleweight world championship in the main event of UFC 305 at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, and live on pay-per-view.
"I always knew if I'm in trouble fighting one of the — if not the — greatest strikers ever in this division, I need that takedown," du Plessis told Daniel Cormier in the Octagon moments after the biggest win of his career.
He added: "And here I am, still champion, baby."
The champ's four takedowns came at opportune times and were key in halting Adesanya's momentum, especially the decisive one in the fourth round as the former two-time champion was coming off of sharp striking in his best round of the fight during the third frame and looked crisp early into the fourth as well.
Following the win, du Plessis embraced Adesanya and paid homage to the legend to ensure that the two bury their beef right then and there.
"This man has done so much for this sport and I'm really sorry that it came across that I disrespected the fact that he's from Africa and that was never my intention," du Plessis said. "Tonight, Africa would have won, regardless. It was an honor for me to share this cage with a legend like that. I have the utmost respect for him — warrior to warrior."
Although Adesanya said he was "disappointed" with the result and the "stupid dumb mistake on the ground" that wound up costing him the fight, he was proud of his performance.
"I'm disappointed in myself but at the same time, I'm proud because this is the best I've ever felt, this is the best I've ever looked and I just had the better man on the night and I'll give him respect for that," Adesanya told Cormier, before vowing that he'll be back.
Here's how the entire UFC 305: du Plessis vs. Adesanya pay-per-view main card went.
