In a heated main event at UFC 305, South African fighter, Dricus Du Plessis successfully defended his middleweight title by defeating Nigerian-born Israel Adesanya via submission in the fourth round.
The bout, which had been marked by pre-fight tensions over race and identity, ended dramatically when Du Plessis secured victory with a rear-naked choke.
Adesanya, a former two-time champion, entered the octagon with a strong desire to reclaim the belt he had lost to Sean Strickland last September. Despite trailing 2-1 on the judges’ scorecards entering the fourth round, Du Plessis shifted momentum with a series of powerful hooks and jabs, leading to a decisive takedown.
Once Du Plessis locked in the choke, Adesanya was forced to submit, sealing the South African’s victory.
The fight started with both fighters showing aggression, as Adesanya landed sharp counters and opened a cut on Du Plessis’ forehead early in the match. However, as the fight progressed, Du Plessis’ relentless pressure and wrestling skills proved overwhelming for Adesanya.
