In a highly anticipated and emotionally charged bout at UFC 305, South African fighter Dricus Du Plessis retained his middleweight title, defeating Nigerian-born Israel Adesanya by submission in the fourth round.
The victory was a significant milestone for Du Plessis as he successfully defended his title in one of the most intense rivalries in recent UFC history.
The fight, which had been fueled by pre-fight tensions over race and identity, ended in a dramatic fashion as Du Plessis secured a rear-naked choke, forcing Adesanya to submit.
Despite trailing 2-1 on the scorecards heading into the fourth round, Du Plessis turned the fight in his favor with a powerful sequence of hooks and jabs, followed by a decisive takedown that led to the submission victory.
Adesanya, a former two-time middleweight champion, entered the bout determined to reclaim the title he lost to Sean Strickland in September 2023.
He showed early aggression, landing sharp counters and cutting Du Plessis on the forehead in the first round.
However, Du Plessis' relentless pressure and superior wrestling skills began to wear down Adesanya as the fight progressed.
In the second round, Du Plessis took control with effective wrestling, dragging Adesanya down twice.
The third round featured intense exchanges on the feet as both fighters battled for dominance, setting the stage for the dramatic fourth-round finish.
The atmosphere in the arena was tense, stemming from pre-fight comments by Du Plessis, who had referred to himself as the first "real" African UFC champion.
This statement, which alluded to Du Plessis' South African heritage, did not sit well with Adesanya, who has often represented Nigeria with pride throughout his career.
The animosity between the two fighters was evident throughout the contest, adding to the drama of the night.
With the victory, Du Plessis solidified his position at the top of the middleweight division, while Adesanya faces an uncertain future after the bitter loss.
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