South African Dricus du Plessis tries to break Nigeria’s Israel Adesanya’s neck to win by submission at UFC 305.
In the main event of UFC 305 from the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis submitted Israel Adesanya of Nigeria in the fourth round to retain the UFC middleweight championship.
![Israel Adesanya vs Dricus du Plessis: Nigerian MMA star targets head to win UFC 305 main event](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/17082024/ed5d72cf-5a6a-4915-8951-6b0540fda5f7.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
Nigerian MMA star Israel Adesanya targets head to win against South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305 main event.
Both players were fierce competitors from the start, but Du Plessis was able to delay the game by tactically combining blitzes and leg kicks, while Adesanya also created scoring opportunities with his own long-range attacks.
![Nigeria's Israel Adesanya cries ahead of UFC 305 showdown against Dricus du Plessis](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/17082024/b02fa662-1a2a-4c59-a3ae-07a79b197058.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
See why tears were running down the cheeks of Nigeria’s Israel Adesanya during the UFC 305 press conference against Dricus du Plessis.
Even though Adesanya managed to get to his feet at the beginning of the second round, Du Plessis continued to dominate the wrestling game and brought his game to the party.
Dricus du Plessis submits Israel Adesanya
In the third round, Adesanya returned with more bodywork while a worn-out Du Plessis continued to strike occasionally but did not return to wrestling.
![South African Dricus du Plessis tries to break Nigeria's Israel Adesanya's neck to win by submission at UFC 305.](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/18082024/20774e63-2641-4854-b776-193abeb595c7.jpg?operations=fit(480:))
South African Dricus du Plessis tries to break Nigeria’s Israel Adesanya’s neck to win by submission at UFC 305.
That approach would be used all the way to the championship rounds of the bout.
Up until the fourth round, when Du Plessis returned to grappling, Adesanya had the upper hand.
![South African Dricus du Plessis tries to break Nigeria's Israel Adesanya's neck to win by submission at UFC 305.](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/18082024/1ba18792-ca9a-42f9-a458-b49dca2fb19a.jpg?operations=fit(480:))
South African Dricus du Plessis tries to break Nigeria’s Israel Adesanya’s neck to win by submission at UFC 305.
After putting together a takedown using his right hand, Du Plessis went straight into a rear-naked choke, which caused the opponent to tap out and ended the fight.
The two warriors’ intense battle comes to an end with the victory.
There was a great deal of passion between the two fighters that dates back a long way, and it was the first UFC championship match between two fighters of African descent.
![South African Dricus du Plessis tries to break Nigeria's Israel Adesanya's neck to win by submission at UFC 305.](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/18082024/8ce318fe-de73-4ff8-8216-a93726bffee7.jpg?operations=fit(480:))
South African Dricus du Plessis tries to break Nigeria’s Israel Adesanya’s neck to win by submission at UFC 305.
In the end, Du Plessis prevailed in a historic battle, adding a significant accomplishment to his record.
As the current middleweight champion, Du Plessis has a lot more weight in the middle thanks to Adesanya’s dominant run.
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