Middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis mounted his first profitable title protection with victory over quantity 2 contender Israel Adesanya.
UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis submitted former champion Israel Adesanya within the fourth spherical to retain his title at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia.
Again-to-back proper hooks knocked down a retreating Adesanya, with Du Plessis taking him again and sinking within the rear bare choke. Adesanya tapped, stopping the bout 3 minutes and 38 seconds into the five-minute spherical on Sunday.
It was the primary time Nigerian-New Zealander Adesanya was submitted in his skilled MMA profession, which stands at 24 wins and 4 losses. South Africa’s Du Plessis, who has received all eight of his fights since becoming a member of the UFC, progressed to 22 wins and two losses.
“I always knew if I’m in trouble fighting one of the, if not the best strikers ever in this division, I need that takedown,” Du Plessis, 30, stated after his first title defence since profitable the belt in January.
“This man is the king of getting back up. No one can take him down and keep him there.”
Du Plessis had taken Adesanya down within the second spherical and tried to choke him, however the challenger obtained again up and ripped into Du Plessis with kicks and punches to the physique within the third spherical.
“Believe me, I do not want to get kicked by that man again,” Du Plessis stated. “Izzy, if you decide to retire tonight, thank you.”
Adesanya, who has now misplaced three of his final 4 fights, stated he meant to maintain going.
“I just made a stupid, dumb mistake,” he stated. “I’m 35, I’m doing the right things… watch this, I’m not leaving.”
